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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, 05:59:18 PM)
Is Vern a hippie? What channel/station carries his show? Is it national or regional?
I'm curious to see what Vern's upto. I hope to god he digs women!
huu76
Thursday, September 12, 2002 at 21:01:54 (PDT)
[64.231.98.171]
I just love Vern on Trading Spaces, I watch it as much as possible. I think that Vern is by far one of the best designers and I think that it is cool that he is known for his romantic bedroom designs, I would love to have him come and revamp my room. It's also cool to see an Asian Male in the media.
TigerLily
Thursday, September 12, 2002 at 18:44:06 (PDT)
[205.188.209.140]
AC Dropout,
I've seen vern yip on trading spaces. Really good image for an asian guy. No thick glasses, asian accent, ankle high pants, no attitude.
Now this is the type of image asian guys need to get in american media. It'd be a good idea for asians to write to the producer explaining how much you appreciate his role in the program.
Another major plus - he lives in atlanta. That's a pretty progressive city from what I hear.
Political Observer
Thursday, September 12, 2002 at 13:57:32 (PDT)
[167.230.38.7]
Political
you wrote "Who in the world is AC/HL? Do you mean Ai Ya or Deng Ai?"
No I mean the brilliant, none other than A/HL Grad. Pretty sure it stands for the fact the he is both a graduate of harvard law school and the US naval academy in annapolis, MD.
He's definitely one for the ages. A right wing asian conservative.
Political Observer
Thursday, September 12, 2002 at 10:02:44 (PDT)
[167.230.38.7]
AC Dropout (my buddy),
you wrote
"But if Locke distance himself too far from asian community, the asians might consider him a sell out and not vote for him at all."
Now that is why I probably would not vote for the guy. Don't really know if the guy has a spine or not. What would happen to an asian american politician who would scare moderate-to-conservative voters when he has to make tough decisions? I honestly don't know the answer to that burning question. Conservative politicians and voters might be too appealing to him when the rubber meets the road.
Geoff is being far too optimistic about the guy in my opinion. I can understand one minority wanting to see another minority do well but gary locke may not have any backbone. What about abortion rights, social issues and other hot button questions. Would gary locke be there for the democrats when the going gets tough.
AC wrote "Has Locke even announced his intentions to run yet?"
Don't think so. Don't really care either.
Political Observer
Thursday, September 12, 2002 at 09:59:00 (PDT)
[167.230.38.7]
Who in the world is AC/HL? Do you mean Ai Ya or Deng Ai?
"Conservative asian voters like A/HL grad hope that they can be more true american by voting like white conservatives.
Now that's the truth.
If this scares you, then good. I know it scares me."
Agreed. There are quite a few bananas such as Michelle Malkin (who really believes that she is white although she is of Filipina origin born in this country)and Professor Jan Ting of Temple University who supports profiling non-white ethnicities including his own. For how much of a white washed sell out banana this Asian American trailer trash (Michelle Malkin) is, just check out her book "Invasion" and her recent articles in the heritage townhall site criticizing white women for marrying "terrorists" (Arabs), while this Asian American trash is married to a white person herself. I got this information from the AA Gender Divide board today (9/11). At first I thought the poster was kidding, but no, I read it myself. This woman should scare you, political observer. It does scare me more than any white racist ever did.
Political
Wednesday, September 11, 2002 at 13:18:22 (PDT)
[138.220.203.138]
Polticial Observer,
But if Locke distance himself too far from asian community, the asians might consider him a sell out and not vote for him at all.
One of those can't please everyone at the same time.
Has Locke even announced his intentions to run yet?
AC Dropout
Wednesday, September 11, 2002 at 10:52:20 (PDT)
[24.90.98.143]
AC Dropout,
you wrote
"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."
A guy like gary locke is going to have a greater chance of persuading white moderate middle class voters to understand where he comes from as long as he maintains a reasonable distance from his ethnicity. Yes I know that sounds crude and racist but it's very true. Asian restaurant photo ops would be acceptable but too many ad shots of him visiting asian immigrant communities would be the death nail.
Guess what? he will attract even more votes if he comes across as moderate-conservative.
Which brings us to the discussion about our good old friend A/HL Grad. This guy is NOT white. He is an asian conservative who has an agenda like george bush, phil gramm, mitch mcconnel, and all the other GOP take-me-back-to-the-fifties weirdos. These guys are not stable.
Conservative asian voters like A/HL grad hope that they can be more true american by voting like white conservatives.
Now that's the truth.
If this scares you, then good. I know it scares me.
Polticial Observer
Tuesday, September 10, 2002 at 10:54:00 (PDT)
[167.230.38.7]
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