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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, 05:59:20 PM)
Ai Ya,
you wrote
"This forum is about Gary Locke and his pros/cons, and has little to do with African-American politicians, so why change the topic?"
I'm the one who initially accused trueth teller of race baiting. That is still my position. You have to go back and read previous posts to get a better understanding of what went on.
Political Observer
Wednesday, September 04, 2002 at 08:52:19 (PDT)
It:
"Didn't many Asians or Asian Americans become CEO's in a company before any blacks? Hence, the theory that a black, or a member of a "larger minority," before an Asian or Asian American VP or President is not entirely correct."
You're comparing apples to oranges. CEO's of major US corporations - as wealthy and powerful as they are - are no where nearly as powerful as the three branches of our federal government. Big business heavily drives American politics, but elected officials must be approved by average voters like myself and they are constantly forced to "try" cases in the courts of public opinion. In these courts of public opinion, voter demographics, media images and the mighty dollar govern the outcome of these cases.
"Secondly, although Asians make up 4% of the U.S. population, is it not true that in some sectors of the U.S. reality, Asians represent, for example, 30 or 40% of the context (educational contexts, for instance)?"
Aren't those educational institutions? As such, what political power is inherent at UCLA, UC Berkeley and UC Irvine student bodies?
I hear your reasoning and I'm not against Asians politicians, but your examples appear to be misplaced.
"On the political scene, it is conceivable that Asians in the future will become, in certain political sectors, the "largest minority" and, therefore, establishing a positionality that actually favors an Asian American President over any other minority group."
What logic are you using to calculate this particular formula. Your math does lend to a certain degree of success, but strengh comes in numbers. That's why you hear alot of Asians wanting to increase Asian immigration into the United States. That's also why you hear so much BS about minority unity. A unity that has neither nor will ever exist.
Personally, I'd like to see more Asian politicians. I'm not threatened. I'm competitive by nature and enjoy having a diverse pool of politicians to choose from.
Geoff DB
GeoffDB02@aol.com
Tuesday, September 03, 2002 at 16:27:59 (PDT)
Ai Ya:
Have you read the full content of this discussion? For a little bit of history, please go back several pages and read how Political Observer responded to anti-Gary Locke statements from Trueth Teller. It will soon become apparent what are his/her veiled impressions.
By the way, notice how he has not responded - neither to Political Observer, nor to myself.
"This is typical Democrat BS; no supporting evidence, so just label the comments with some non-sensical gibberish..."
Supporting evidence?
Ai Ya, you're no more Clarence Darrow than I am, so please don't insinuate that Democrats are the only ones who engage in political BS. Republicans do it, too. For your information, I know of several incompetent Democratic politicians who I would never vote for. Come to find out some of them are even black.
What I do know is that Gary Locke does not appear to be one of them. The guy, in my opinion, is being marginalized. Republicans/GOP parade all their token minorities. You would think that the Democratic Party could do more to highlight an intelligent Asian-American politician like Mr. Locke who is clearly not a token. Tokens don't get elected governor.
"I have said it before and say it again - we would be well advised to vote for people who share our interests, not necessarily our pigmentation."
Yes, that's what I practice. I've taken heat for it from time to time, but I do it as a matter of principle.
Geoff DB
GeoffDB02@aol.com
Tuesday, September 03, 2002 at 16:06:06 (PDT)
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