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ASIAMS.NET |
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)
Politics:
You're wrong. When the results came in, Asian Americans were split 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats.
Exit Poller
Monday, June 17, 2002 at 10:53:01 (PDT)
To: Politics
I say the two of us get together and form a polical action committee for minorities. There's no doubt in my mind that the two of us could undue alot of misunderstandings amongst minorities and help strategize solutions to American social dilemnas.
My gut wrenches whenever I hear racist comments. Like I said before, there is anti-Asian sentiment in both major US political parties. Asian-Americans do need to contend with major Democratic Party bosses and force them to acknowledge your ethnic group more, especially in states like Washington, New York and California. There should be a campaign for a full presidential pardon for Wen Ho Lee. He was subjected to racial profiling and treated unfairly.
You must force the party to address Asian-American causes.
Geoff DB
GeoffDB02@aol.com
Thursday, June 13, 2002 at 19:59:42 (PDT)
"Large African-American voter population within the Democratic Party seems to discourage many Asian-Americans"
Not really. Last time 70% of the Asian population voted for Gore. Only Vietnamese Americans have been steadfastly in the GOP.
"China/Southeast Asian foreign policies (Asian-Americans are generally more hard-lined against communism in Asian countries)"
True.
"Racist GOP conservatives are pushing their own agenda and judicial nominees.'
Most of them are from the south or Rocky Mountain states. It is led by a redneck and Asian American hater named Tom Tancredo. He is worse than Bill Richardson can ever hope to be.
"It's questionable whether a Democratic presidential hopeful can attract enough votes, especially in Southern states, with an Asian-American VP."
It could not even with a Jewish American VP, named Joseph Lieberman. Furthermore Democrats need only two southern states, Florida and Texas. Florida would become Democratic after Bush passes from the scene, and Texas would become competitive when racist whites become a minority.
"You really can't win the White House without North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and let's say Kentucky."
You mean one or two of those states. Clinton won in 1992 with just TN and KY (and KY is a border states like Missouri).
"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."
No.
"I'm certainly open to Asian-American candidates, but there is so much racism and many social issues that keep us apart."
Most white people in the south would not even vote for whites who are not Anglo-Saxon. After all to them Greeks, Italians and East Europeans are foreigners with foreign sounding names.
Politics
Wednesday, June 12, 2002 at 12:48:02 (PDT)
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