If former Gov. Gary Locke is formally nominated as U.S. commerce secretary, he would bring a squeaky-clean image and experience with global trade to a job that President Obama has found difficult to fill.
"I think he'd be a very good choice," said Bill Stafford, president of the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle.
There were multiple reports Monday that Locke is Obama's likely third pick for the post.
The Associated Press and The Washington Post said a senior administration official confirmed Locke is likely to be nominated. Paul Berendt, former chairman of the Washington State Democratic Party, said he heard from a well-placed source that Locke, 59, received a call Monday and was offered the commerce job.
"I think the Obama administration wanted someone who is squeaky clean, and certainly Gary is a Boy Scout," Berendt said.
In fact, Locke was an Eagle Scout as a teenager. He's carried that clean-cut image through his career.
The former governor is such a straight arrow that "he probably overpaid his taxes" just to avoid questions later, Berendt said.
0 comments:
Post a Comment