|
|
|
|
|
GOLDSEA |
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?
This interactive article is closed to new input.
Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
CONTACT US
|
ADVERTISING INFO
© 1996-2013 Asian Media Group Inc
No part of the contents of this site may be reproduced without prior written permission.
|
|
|
|
WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:59:19 PM)
Political Observer,
"AC believes that A/HL Grad is white."
If I got a voting history of A/HL Grad. I would assure you his voting pattern would be the exact template of the average mid-class white guy in an Northeast state.
In the case of Gary Locke, I'm sure he is also sensitive to white and asian issues, and also aware of how ones ethnic identity effects voting. Which is why he was able to win the governorship of WA.
Gore's going to try again. And Bush II is going to try again. I think Locke for democratic VP candidate is more reasonable for the time being.
AC Dropout
Monday, September 09, 2002 at 12:39:12 (PDT)
[24.90.98.143]
Ai Ya,
you wrote "I am blind, but I don't really see the root of the commotion."
You must be blind if you can't read his codified message. Trueth teller is not playing with full deck. In this instance perhaps, you have a few of the cards in your hand.
The guys mentions a respected yet hated figure like johnny cochran on an asian website. His intentions couldn't be more clear to me.
All you've done is provide rationale for trueth teller's speech. Typical GOP BS if you ask me. One can only conclude that the two of you share the same feelings. You fight with the same tenacity arie fliesher uses to defend mr. challenged himself, george bush. I'm actually glad you wrote that post. There's an ongoing battle between AC Dropout and A/HL Grad. AC believes that A/HL Grad is white. Thanks for proving that not all conservatives are white.
you wrote
"By the way, YOU go on to say how greatful (sic) Asians should be because White voters in Washington elected Mr Locke. What the Hell are you talking about?"
Yea you're right dammit. All this talk about white people being insensitive and inherently evil and guess what, they elect an asian american governor.
California has a much higher asian population but you'll be hard pressed to see an asian governor elected in this state for a long time.
I'm not a bleeing heart liberal. Would I vote for gary locke? probably not. I still haven't made up my mind about gray davis. The guys a jerk and a political dog.
you wrote
"As if it is some sort of gift from the great white masses for which we ought to be eternally grateful to elect this guy."
Well, not eternally greatful - just greatful is fine with me :)
Political Observer
Monday, September 09, 2002 at 08:54:03 (PDT)
Ai Ya:
"please re-read what Trueth (sic) actually said...what Political Insider (said) and he did following up to it.
I've been monitoring this section for quite a while and do not always respond on a daily basis. Given the totality of each guy's comments, I formed my own opinion. Accordingly, Mao's statement "...one dog barks because it actually hears something, and than 100 bark at the first dog", while typical, is not applicable here.
"Along these lines, you yourself said that Mike Woo lost the vote in Los Angeles because the African American vote stayed away"
That's actually very true. If Mike Woo were Mike Wilson, then he probably would have won the race. Mainstream American voters are still suspicious of Asian-American politicians. It's brutal reality. Combination of media bias, racism, fear and ignorance.
"As far as Gary Locke being "marginalised," by whom, exactly? What prominent Washington lawmakers (Gov, congress, or Senate) has the US been exposed to? It's a marginal state; face it."
I profoundly disagree. Gary Locke is a formidable Asian-American politician who was raised in public housing with humble beginnings, only to become the chief executive and chief politician of his state. Also, in a 50-49 Democratic controlled US Senate, you'll never hear anyone say that WA state is marginal.
"We need to stop engaging in these childish use of cliches such as "token" and "code word" as ersatz arguments."
These aren't childish code words. They have unfortunate symbolic meaning.
I won't touch on all the black issues/politicians you mentioned, because that's off topic. I have a lot of respect for JC Watts and C. Powell. However, when the GOP/Republican Party parades minorities to show the American people how "diverse" they are, I hate when they read off names of conservative minorities who actually turn the clock back on civil rights and social justice issues.
Lastly, the hierarchy of the Democratic National Party need to realize how formidable Asian-Americans voters will become. If the GOP begin to attract more Asians in their ranks, Democrats will have a fight on their hands.
Gary Locke could become a power broker in the DNP if they give him more air time. Again, my belief is that he is being set aside. Democrats need to reach out to these Asian immigrant communities and explain what the Party stands for. Otherwise, as voter demographics change, Democrat political power in the United States will no longer be assumed.
Geoff DB
GeoffDB02@aol.com
Sunday, September 08, 2002 at 16:21:23 (PDT)
Geoff DB:
please re-read what Trueth (sic) actually said. I notice that you initially did not respond to his post, but rather, to what Political Insider and he did following up to it.
A lot like Mao once said, which roughly means that one dog barks because it actually hears something, and than 100 bark at the first dog.
Anyhow, I appreciate that you maintain some matter of independence. Far too few people vote independently (especially, I must say, African-American voters, who were like 92% for Gore in 2000, a plurality that exceeds the sort of "vote" that used to happen in Russia).
But, never did I say that the Demos had a monopoly on incompetence and political BS. For an example, just consider the ridiculous "compassionate conservative" tripe we were fed. Or, the overuse of the accusation of "liberal."
Where I complain is where you again degenerate into meaningless blather about "tokens," yet another phrase paraded around by political types to undermine those they simply have political disagreements with.
Which tokens, exactly, are you talking about? Since you are black, are you talking about JC Watts? Gary Franks? Colin Powell? Mr Watts and Mr Franks represent WHITE majority districts. Which one of the black members of congress who is a Democrat represents a non-black majority district?
Along these lines, you yourself said that Mike Woo lost the vote in Los Angeles because the African American vote stayed away. LA is an overwhelmingly Democrat-controlled city, and yet they could not elect a Democrat mayor due to racial Balkanisation.
As far as Gary Locke being "marginalised," by whom, exactly? What prominent Washington lawmakers (Gov, congress, or Senate) has the US been exposed to? It's a marginal state; face it.
We need to stop engaging in these childish use of cliches such as "token" and "code word" as ersatz arguments.
I have heard it said that cliches are the verbal soldiers of the ignorant; and from the current debate, I would see that there is a virtual army around us.
Ai Ya
Friday, September 06, 2002 at 12:00:24 (PDT)
Political Observer:
I re-read Trueth (sic) Teller's posts; maybe I am blind, but I don't really see the root of the commotion. It was you, PI, who injected race into it.
Let's look at what was actually said that you found objectionable:
"His back ground is criminal defense lawyer. The ones who defend murderers, rapists, robbers, etc. Kidda like Johnny Cockren at the OJ Simpson Trial."
to which you responded:
"gee, why am I not surprised you used
johnny cochran as an example."
I am sick of hearing about OJ, not because I think he got away with killing two people (which I do, by the way), but because it is overdone to death. But, the guy's use of Johnnie Cochran is not racist, really. Obviously, the guy was the most memorable of the performers (much more so than F. Lee Bailey). Cochran is the one who got a TV show out of it. I believe he was the lead attorney.
By the way, YOU go on to say how greatful (sic) Asians should be because White voters in Washington elected Mr Locke. What the Hell are you talking about?
As if it is some sort of gift from the great white masses for which we ought to be eternally grateful to elect this guy. That in itself is beyond pandering.
I know little or nothing about Gary Locke; his being a Democrat makes me suspicious, but then, I voted for Gray Davis here in California in 1998 (a mistake I will not repeat this year). But, if it is true that he is a tax-spend Democrat, there is no way I would vote for the guy, even if he were my cousin, just because he is the same ethnicity as I am.
Ai Ya
Friday, September 06, 2002 at 11:47:40 (PDT)
NEWEST COMMENTS |
EARLIER COMMENTS
|