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ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
WILL GARY LOCKE BE THE FIRST AA PRESIDENT?
ary Locke can tick off almost every qualification for a successful presidential bid: third-generation Washingtonian whose father fought in Patton's tank corps; Eagle Scout; Yale grad; former prosecutor with a tough crimefighting record; popular two-term governor in a state with arguably the nation's most successful educational system and fiscal policies; a highly telegenic wife with impeccable credentials of her own.
Significantly, Gary Locke's 26-year political career unequivocally establishes him to be a republican in democrat's clothing. Political balancing acts of that order have become de rigueur for White House aspirants from both parties, as shown by recent elections. And he's only 51.
But one misstep may haunt Locke in any quest for higher office -- he was born to Asian parents.
Locke's ties to Washington state go back to a paternal grandfather who had immigrated to Olympia at the turn of the century and worked as a houseboy before returning to China to start a family. His father James returned to Washington and fought under General Patton. Gary was born January 21, 1950 in a Seattle veterans public housing project called Yesler Terrace.
Gary worked at his father's grocery store but earned the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated with honors from Franklin High in 1968. He worked his way through Yale, earning a poli sci degree in 1972. Three years later he got a J.D. from Boston University Law School and became a deputy prosecutor in King County.
His crimefighting record got him elected to the state house in 1982 where his star rose rapidly through hard work on the Judiciary and Appropriations committees. He chaired the latter from 1988 until 1993 when he was elected chief executive of King County. That office gave Gary Locke the opportunity to prove his knack for improving social services while enforcing fiscal discipline.
Locke's popularity is undoubtedly boosted by his pretty wife, the former Mona Lee. Before their marriage in October of 1994 she was a news reporter at Seattle's KING-TV. She gave birth to a daughter in 1997, then a son in 1999. As first lady Mona has won raves by championing the causes of early learning and quality childcare.
Gary Locke has never publicly shown interest in running for national office.
Supporters see no other progression for the lifetime civil servant. They dismiss racial concerns by citing the fact that only about 6% of Washington voters are Asian, not very different from the 4% figure nationally. Some even feel that Locke's prospects for winning the presidency are better than that of any other minority politician. They cite his cleancut image combined with a sterling track record at the helm -- not to mention the likely support of the world's biggest software company.
Others believe that on the national political stage an Asian politician would have so much of an uphill battle simply trying to establish that he is an American to have a shot at getting his message across.
Could Gary Locke win a presidential election or would he be foolish even to consider a run?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:59:24 PM)
TO: Politics
It's always been my experience that there are certain roadblocks - bedrock socio-political issues in the Democratic Party Platform - that prevent the Democratics from being more attractive to Asian-American voters:
1) Social programs (welfare, food supplementary, Medi-Care, after-school activities, child care, etc.);
2) Affirmative Action (which generally Asians don't want or need, especially in college/university admissions);
3) Minimum wage and labor laws;
4) Large African-American voter population within the Democratic Party seems to discourage many Asian-Americans;
5) China/Southeast Asian foreign policies (Asian-Americans are generally more hard-lined against communism in Asian countries).
The social programs, in particular, are largely popular with African-American, Hispanic, Native-American, and lower-to-average middle class white people.
I would like to see more Asian-American Democrats but there just seems to be too many impediments.
To be honest, the Republican Party hasn't seemed to reach out to Asian voters. There's anti-Asian sentiment in both parties. Probably less so in the Democratic Party. Although, it was the Clinton Justice and Energy departments who persecuted Wen Ho Lee. But the Republicans jumped right in and only back-tracked once Janet Reno and federal prosecutors offered a plea bargain at the very end.
George Bush did appoint two Asians to his cabinet. That was encouraging to see. There might be a credible argument that George W. Bush is not as conservative as the rest of the GOP, but Bush isn't the one pulling the strings in Congress or in his own party for that matter. Racist GOP conservatives are pushing their own agenda and judicial nominees. Bush has to please them or else.
I don't know the political landscape in Washington state, so I can't speak intelligently about Gov. Gary Locke. He appears to be a bright, attractive candidate for national office. His best route would probably be a high level cabinet post until the country can become personally familiar with him and his opinions.
It's questionable whether a Democratic presidential hopeful can attract enough votes, especially in Southern states, with an Asian-American VP. You really can't win the White House without North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and let's say Kentucky. Could Locke help a Democrat win the Northeast states? How about Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois? I just don't know. It seems like an uphill task.
Gary Locke would get my vote.
I'm certainly open to Asian-American candidates, but there is so much racism and many social issues that keep us apart.
Geoff DB
GeoffDB02@aol.com
Saturday, June 08, 2002 at 17:11:41 (PDT)
Politics,
And I thought Gore lost due to FL.
AC Dropout
Wednesday, June 05, 2002 at 11:56:16 (PDT)
A/HL
Welcome back bro!!!
Roger Hahn
Wednesday, June 05, 2002 at 05:54:28 (PDT)
"The logic assumes that the Democratic party is somehow a proponent for Asians in office."
No one is. In fact, the DAR would make sure that no one other than Anglo-Saxons ever get in. Gulliani is dreaming if he thinks that he would ever be President, and I still think that the anti-semitic vote in Tennessee and Arkansas cost Gore the vote (due to Liberman on the ticket).
" false assumption indeed, judging by the appointment records of that supposed great savior for Asians, Bill Clinton. At least my boy Dubya got two Asians in the Cabinet. Okay, one and a half on account of Chao."
There is a distinction between Dubya and the GOP. I have never got an answer to the question as to whether the GOP is the party of George Bush or The 2000 Texas GOP Party platform led by Susan Weddington (the redneck wing) and John Cookesy (the "diaper head" Louisiana wing), which believes that this country belongs to the Anglo Saxons. With the current attitude, when Bush leaves the scene, GOP may be history with their attitudes.
Politics
Tuesday, June 04, 2002 at 12:38:50 (PDT)
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