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Obama picks Gary Locke as commerce chief
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-26 08:54

WASHINGTON -- Gary Locke, the first Chinese-American who ever led a US state government, was nominated by US President Barack Obama on Wednesday as his third choice for Secretary of Commerce.


US Former Washington state Governor Gary Locke makes a speech,as US Presidend Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden stand by, after he was nominated as commerce secretary in US President Barack Obama's administration, at the White House, Washington,D.C., on February 25, 2009. [Xinhua]

Announcing the nomination in a live-broadcast event at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House, the US president said that the 59-year-old Locke has lived the American Dream and "shares my commitment to do whatever it takes to keep it alive in our time."

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"Gary will be a trusted voice in my cabinet, a tireless advocate for our economic competitiveness, and an influential ambassador for American industry who will help us do everything we can, especially now, to promote it around the world," said Obama.

"The American people and I fully support you and have confidence in your bold strategy to turn our economy around," Locke told Obama, adding that he will become an "active and integral partner" to push forward the president's agenda.

"Our nation's economic success is tied directly to America continuing to lead in technology and innovation and in exporting those products, services and ideas to markets around the globe," he said.

"The Department of Commerce can and will help create jobs and the economic vitality our country needs," he added.

If his nomination gets confirmed, Locke would fill a post to which Obama has previously nominated New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Republican Senator Judd Gregg form New Hampshire.

Richardson withdrew in early January, citing an ongoing federal investigation in his home state, while Gregg pulled out of consideration on Feb. 12 because of "irresolvable conflicts" over the Obama administration's stimulus bill and the upcoming 2010 census.


US Former Washington state Governor Gary Locke makes a speech,as US Presidend Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden stand by, after he was nominated as commerce secretary in US President Barack Obama's administration, at the White House, Washington,D.C., on February 25, 2009. [Xinhua] 

Obama acknowledged the setback and said on Wednesday: "Now, I'm sure it's not lost on anyone that we've tried this a couple of times, but I'm a big believer in keeping at something until you get it right. And Gary is the right man for this job."

The young presidency of Obama has been beset by problems with Cabinet nominees.

He is still searching for a candidate to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, after former Senate Democratic leader Thomas Daschle ran into obstacles.

Both Daschle and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner were involved in tax controversies. Geithner, however, was ultimately confirmed by the Senate.

Locke was the country's first Chinese-American governor, elected to lead the Washington state in 1996 and re-elected in 2000.

Prior to governorship, the Democrat served 5 terms in the House of Representatives and one term as executive of King County, Washington.

He was chairman of the House Appropriations Committee from 1989 to 1994.

Locke earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Yale University, and a law degree from Boston University.

Analysts said he is a Democrat who "is a comfortable ideological fit with the Obama administration."

While the Secretary of Commerce is not regarded as one of the top-tier power posts in the US Cabinet, he could serve as a voice for the globalists in the new administration.

He comes squarely out of the free-trade mindset of the mainstream business community in the northwestern United States and has a good relationship with China.

Personally, Locke seems like he would fit in with the "No Drama Obama" approach to governing.

During his tenure as governor, he has the reputation of being pragmatic figure who was not unnecessarily combative.

A White House statement described Locke as a "tireless and successful champion of American products, services and jobs."