Even though Washington voted overwhelmingly for Barack Obama in November (57.65 percent to 40.48 percent for John McCain), he assumed the presidency without naming anyone from our state to a consequential role in his administration.
Things change quickly in the other Washington, though. Gov. Gary Locke appears set to be nominated today as commerce secretary, meaning three prominent Washingtonians are close to joining Team Obama: Locke in the Cabinet; King County Executive Ron Sims as deputy secretary of housing and urban development; and Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske as drug czar.
And while Obama has pledged to bring a new way of doing business to the federal government, one that favors even-handed treatment over political favoritism, the pending assent of Locke, Sims and Kerlikowske is still good news for the state. Locke, in particular, will bring to the Cabinet a strong sense of Washington’s importance to international trade, something that certainly can’t hurt the state or its major export-related employers.
Locke, the son of immigrants who in 1996 was elected the nation’s first Chinese-American governor, is considered something of a rock star in China, where he conducted numerous trade missions during his gubernatorial tenure. He has continued to work in the private sector on legal issues involving China, trade and governmental relations since leaving office in 2005, so he’s warmed up and ready to go on those fronts. His Pacific Rim expertise would be a major asset for the president’s trade policies in general, and the nation’s crucial relationship with China in particular.
Locke’s involvement with maritime issues as governor is also a plus, because the Commerce Department oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Locke seems tailor-made for the commerce job, a post that makes its impact mostly behind the scenes. He’s a wonk’s wonk, and lacks an ego that demands the limelight. He can talk policy details until he’s the only in the room who’s still awake. In an arena like the Department of Commerce that values policy nerds (and we mean that in the most complimentary way), he’ll thrive.
And this Eagle Scout has maintained a solid reputation for ethics and integrity — an important consideration, especially given the tax and other troubles some of Obama’s nominees have had.
If Obama has settled on Locke, it’s a savvy pick, one that the Senate should quickly confirm.
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