Brad Shannon:
The Politics Blog

Brad Shannon maintains this blog. He is political editor at The Olympian and can be reached at 360-753-1688 or bshannon@theolympian.com.

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AWB business group likes choice of Locke for Commerce

• Published February 25, 2009

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A few conservatives might chafe at today's nomination of former Gov. Gary Locke to serve as commerce secretary, but Washington's leading business group likes the idea just fine. Association of Washington Business president Don Brunell put out this statement today, praising President Barack Obama’s selection of Locke, a two-term Democrat who served as governor in 1997-2005.

Brunell said, in part:

"The nomination of Gary Locke as secretary of Commerce is good for Washington and good for our country. Washington state is the nation's leading per capita exporting state and Gary Locke, as governor, formed many important trade bonds with countries such as China, Korea and Japan … "Locke also understands the importance of keeping American businesses competitive. During his two terms as Washington’s governor, he relied heavily on the competitiveness council he formed to make our state more attractive for companies to re-invest and invest in. That translated into new jobs and additional economic opportunities … Locke’s tireless actions and salesmanship was important in attracting Boeing to establish its 787 assembly line at Paine Field rather than in the southern states."

Brunell also praised Locke's work in 2003 to balance a state budget without raising taxes.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Chris Gregoire also put out statements praising the choice, just as they did earlier in the week when rumors of the appointment arose.

Conservative blogger Michelle Malkin has taken a less charitable position, writing here and here:

"I covered Gary Locke when I worked at the Seattle Times. I dealt with his campaign and gubernatorial staffs. 'Strait-laced' is not the adjective I’d use for my dealings with him and his people. In response to my columns pressing Locke on his close ties to campaign finance crook John Huang, the governor’s office first stonewalled. His standard Democrat smokescreen? Play the race card and play the victim."

Except for Malkin and like-minded critics, it remains to be seen who wants to dredge up that era at Locke's upcoming Senate confirmation hearings.

A U.S. House committee looking into illegal donations to the 1996 Clinton presidential campaign took a deposition from Locke about his relationship to some questioned donors. The committee found no evidence that Locke knowingly accepted any illegal donations, according to news accounts.