U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday introduced former Washington State Governor Gary Locke as his nominee for Secretary of Commerce, attempting for the third time to fill this important position in the government after the withdrawal of the first two candidates.
"Surely everyone remembers that we have tried this several times. But I believe it must continue until things are right. And Gary is the right man for the job," Obama said while introducing Locke in the Eisenhower office building next to the White House. The first candidate for the position, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, withdrew due to a corruption investigation regarding state contract awards, and the second, Republican Senator Judd Gregg, when he concluded that he could not implement the policies of a Democratic president.
Obama praised Locke, who is of Chinese-American descent, as someone who shares his vision for pulling America out of the economic crisis."Gary will be a tireless advocate for American competitiveness and an influential ambassador for American industry, who will help us do everything we can to promote our industry around the world," Obama said. He repeated almost the same praises he had expressed for the candidates before Locke.
"I am grateful to him for agreeing to swap one Washington for another," Obama added. Locke announced that he would transform the Department of Commerce into a "dynamic and collaborative partner" in promoting Obama’s economic agenda, nurturing innovation, expanding global markets, protecting ocean fisheries, and encouraging growth. Locke’s appointment (59), the first Chinese-American governor in the U.S. who served from 1997 to 2005, still needs to be confirmed by the Senate. Obama’s cabinet still lacks a Secretary of Health, with Kansas Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius mentioned as the most likely candidate. (H)
