奧巴馬提名華裔州長駱家輝為商務部長人選

Former Chinese-American governor nominated as U.S. commerce secretary

美國總統(tǒng)奧巴馬25日在電視直播的白宮新聞發(fā)布會上提名前華盛頓州華裔州長駱家輝為商務部長人選。

奧巴馬在宣布這一提名時說，在如何振興美國經(jīng)濟和“美國夢”方面，駱家輝與他理念一致。駱家輝表示，他將全力支持奧巴馬，并對奧巴馬的經(jīng)濟振興計劃有信心。他表示，如果提名獲得參議院批準，他將使商務部成為奧巴馬施政綱領的積極推動者。

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

Announcing the nomination in a live-broadcast event at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House, the 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."

"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 from 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.

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 U.S. 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 a wonkish, 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."

美國總統(tǒng)奧巴馬25日在電視直播的白宮新聞發(fā)布會上提名前華盛頓州華裔州長駱家輝為商務部長人選。

奧巴馬在宣布這一提名時說，在如何振興美國經(jīng)濟和“美國夢”方面，駱家輝與他理念一致。駱家輝表示，他將全力支持奧巴馬，并對奧巴馬的經(jīng)濟振興計劃有信心。他表示，如果提名獲得參議院批準，他將使商務部成為奧巴馬施政綱領的積極推動者。

如果這一提名獲得參議院批準，駱家輝將成為繼能源部長朱棣文之后奧巴馬政府的第二位華裔部長，并將主管美國的國際貿(mào)易政策、海洋政策以及人口普查。

駱家輝于１９５０年出生在華盛頓州西雅圖一個華裔家庭，其父母來自中國廣東省臺山。他在耶魯大學獲得政治學學士學位，又在波士頓大學獲得法學學位。

１９８２年，駱家輝當選聯(lián)邦眾議員，從此踏入政壇。１９９６年，他贏得華盛頓州州長選舉，成為美國歷史上首位華裔州長。４年后又獲連任。

駱家輝是奧巴馬提名的第三位商務部長人選。第一位商務部長人選新墨西哥州長理查森因卷入一起腐敗案件調(diào)查而撤回提名，隨后獲得商務部長提名的共和黨參議員格雷格以在重要政策上與奧巴馬存在“不可調(diào)和的矛盾”為由撤回提名。