Chinagate-tainted Gary Locke “sails through” confirmation hearing

By Michelle Malkin  •  March 19, 2009 10:08 AM

I really don’t want to hear it later from Senate Republicans if Commerce Secretary nominee Gary Locke gets himself in an ethics mess after he’s approved.

Washington has been warned — not just by me, but by many other close observers of the former Washington state governor who have followed his career marked by sloppy adherence to campaign finance laws and corporate cronyism. (The Washington Times follows up on one Chinagate thread I reminded all of you about last month based on my Seattle Times reporting in the 1990s.) The rest of the MSM has done a fine job whitewashing Locke’s record.

For their part, Senate Republicans find his record “boring:”

Locke was President Barack Obama’s third choice for the post. The other two, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Judd Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican, withdrew. If confirmed, Locke would be the first Cabinet secretary from Washington state since the Carter administration in the 1970s.

Locke was nominated only three weeks ago. Compared with other Obama nominations, his has moved quickly.

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said his panel could vote on the nomination as early as today if Locke were able to answer written questions from the members.

None of the Republicans on the committee indicated he or she would vote against Locke.

Rockefeller said he and Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, the panel’s top Republican, had reviewed Locke’s background check done by the FBI and his financial statements.

“They were clean,” Rockefeller said.

“Boring would be a better word,” Hutchison said.

Clueless.

Like I said: Don’t express shock and surprise later if/when Commerce Secretary Locke screws up later.

Yawn now, whine later. Seems to be the Washington way.

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Posted in: Gary Locke

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Comments


  1. #1
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am, sonofdy said:

    Another day, another crook in the obama white house.

  2. #2
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:12 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Hutchison is a country club Republican, and if Texas didn’t vote solidly Republican in state wide races might well be a Democrat.

  3. #3
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:16 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    I will say, compared to Lisa Murkowski, Arlen Spectre and the two anti-babes from Maine, Hutchison is practically John Birch, but she is awfully squishy, almost McCain like.

  4. #4
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:19 am, Auggie Dog said:

    Did he pay his taxes? If so, how did he ever get in?

    Can’t wait for the standard Michelle “I told you so, here, here, and here post. Like taxes, and death, it WILL happen.

  5. #5
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:19 am, rfjjulie said:

    Where is the messiah getting all these “cleaners?”

    They are all corrupt.

  6. #6
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:21 am, MNUSMCDavid said:

    Something like this would discourage a lesser reporter, Michelle. While you may feel you’re investigation of Locke years ago is now worthless, think again. If you’ve opened the eyes of one person through all this, you did a good job… we’ll try to carry the load you have born, I promise.

  7. #7
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:22 am, walterc said:

    Another sign it’s time for a revolution. Republicans, Demonrats, Indies, all of them have to go. With the amount of damage done int he first 2 months, I don’t think we can wait two years.

    Break out the torches and pitchforks.

  8. #8
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:26 am, SSG David Medzyk said:

    2004, standing at attention in the Tacoma Dome during our departure ceremony for combat duty in Iraq. Over 3000 men and women ready for battle, their families in the stands waving American flags, supportive signs and banners, crying and cheering us on….

    ….then roundly and loudly booing Locke when he is introduced.

  9. #9
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:30 am, cheapseat said:

    michelle, where on this earth are you going to find a democrat who isn’t a cheating, lying crapweasel. if you wanted to nominate one, first you have to find him/her. maybe ms huffpo or that bastion of democracy kos, no even better, george let’s bankrupt a country so i can get rich shorting that market soros.

  10. #10
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:34 am, MNUSMCDavid said:

    SSGT….. now that is priceless!

  11. #11
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:40 am, sonofdy said:

    SSG’s unite!!!

    SSG sonofdy. Off to BNCOC next month. FT Lewis NCOA.

  12. #12
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:44 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    Well if the democratic/republican model of government can not return the results the Left and Obaminations want then other action can be taken I suppose. You will deny He Whose Middle Name is Hussein only so long.

    “The democratic process doesn’t quite seem to be working
    James Hansen, a climate modeller with Nasa, told the Guardian today that corporate lobbying has undermined democratic attempts to curb carbon pollution. “The democratic process doesn’t quite seem to be working,” he said.

    The democratic process doesn’t quite seem to be working” will become the mantra on a whole host of issues in the near future. As Herr Hitler remarked: “the People voted for us, why bother them again with silly elections?” William Ayres is on call.

    Hold on cowboys, we are in for a ride.


    Keep the change-I’ll keep my guns

  13. #13
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:48 am, DesertLover said:

    SSG David Medzyk

    My former son-in-law (Navy) used to tell similar stories of when Clinton would visit bases … he was not welcome as far as the troops were concerned … so they started having to be selective about which service members were attending his speeches during the visits per “request” of the White House …

    Alas the simple differences …
    Army = SSG …
    USMC = SSGT …
    :lol:

    Semper Fi …

    DesertLover
    SSGT USMC

  14. #14
    On March 19th, 2009 at 10:48 am, tpitman said:

    If confirmed, Locke would be the first Cabinet secretary from Washington state since the Carter administration in the 1970s

    Well, this makes it all okay, then, doesn’t it? After all, wasn’t Jimmy’s slogan “why not the best?”, so this fellow must be good. Speaking of Jimmy, wasn’t he caught sneaking out of the White House yesterday? Probably giving Lil BO some tips, or his take on the Final Four. The only thing we need now is a good Iranian crisis, double-digit inflation and unemployment, and it’ll be “just like the good old days”. Seems like history does repeat itself.

  15. #15
    On March 19th, 2009 at 11:12 am, happyscrapper said:

    Did none of the “vetters” see MM’s copies of those money orders? It is so obvious when you look at them, that he was getting illegal contributions. And that isn’t all that creep had done. Apparently, the people who vet these nominees don’t even Google them. How can they miss the obvious time after time? I guess they are just that desparate for a warm body after so many misses!

  16. #16
    On March 19th, 2009 at 11:27 am, b-cat said:

    For their part, Senate Republicans find his record “boring:”

    So boring they don’t care. Just like everything else these days, no interest in anything til there’s an explosion. Then it’s CYA.

    When does the shooting start?

  17. #17
    On March 19th, 2009 at 11:41 am, right4life said:

    doing my best imitation of Wen Jiabao:

    we OWN YOU yanqui imperialist dog amerikkkans…soon you will be working in our salt mines, for the greater glory of China!! we own your politicians, we own your money!! and when you go to the story you buy CHINESE products..

    bow down before your REAL MASTER CHINA

    remember we OWN YOU

  18. #18
    On March 19th, 2009 at 11:45 am, John Deaux said:

    Maybe he can convince China to lend us a few trillion.

  19. #19
    On March 19th, 2009 at 11:55 am, Flyoverman said:

    After reading the letter I got last fall from Senator Grassley about why he voted for Eric Holder, I am convinced short of being a member of the Manson Family, anyone Obama nominee with a pulse will get confirmed by these inside the Beltway Good Old Boys.

  20. #20
    On March 19th, 2009 at 12:23 pm, b-cat said:

    I am convinced short of being a member of the Manson Family, anyone Obama nominee with a pulse will get confirmed by these inside the Beltway Good Old Boys.

    I don’t think a past association with a 60′s radical has the stigma attached to it you think it does. After all, that was a long time ago, and Chuck was just a guy in the neighborhood.

  21. #21
    On March 19th, 2009 at 1:00 pm, Regulus said:

    On March 19th, 2009 at 11:27 am, b-cat said:

    For their part, Senate Republicans find his record “boring:”

    So boring they don’t care. Just like everything else these days, no interest in anything til there’s an explosion. Then it’s CYA.

    The Senate Republicans in DC remind me too much of what a Union general (I don’t recall which one) said of the Army of the Potomac’s morale in early 1863: Loosely quoted, “They’ve been beaten enough now that they’ve gotten used to it and it doesn’t bother them anymore.”

    Michelle says:

    Like I said: Don’t express shock and surprise later if/when Commerce Secretary Locke screws up later.

    – He’s a donk, so trifling past “indiscretions” and “honest mistakes” are OK. And besides, when he screws up it won’t matter, because his good intentions will justify everything…

  22. #22
    On March 19th, 2009 at 2:14 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

    How come you folks always do stuff like this:

    http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_11947072?source=rss

  23. #23
    On March 19th, 2009 at 4:42 pm, dan708 said:

    In a sad way, this appointment makes sense – the people elected a president based entirely on “hope and change” rather than experience and competence, so let’s pick cabinet nominees the same way!

  24. #24
    On March 19th, 2009 at 7:09 pm, MNUSMCDavid said:

    Ihatefreedom

    you mean two people trying to save their marriage ? even if it has to be on a weird show?….. what would you do? and just what does it have to do with this thread, you piece of garbage.

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