Gary Locke: Great VP choice

[Vega]

I'm rather astounded by the lack of mention of Gary Locke to be the Dem's VP in 2016. He was a popular two-term governor, Ambassador to China, Commerce Secretary - he's got the chops for it. Let alone the minority criteria he meets.

Thoughts?

[Asian Nazi]

He's still popular out here for sure, but has the charisma of a doorknob and is yesterday's news.  It'd be like the Republicans picking Tim Pawlenty, not the worst choice in the world, but there are many better.

Also, China hates him and he was widely regarded as a poor ambassador.

[Lyin' Steve]

He's still popular out here for sure, but has the charisma of a doorknob and is yesterday's news.  It'd be like the Republicans picking Tim Pawlenty, not the worst choice in the world, but there are many better.

Also, China hates him and he was widely regarded as a poor ambassador.

I live in Seattle and never hear about him.  Then again Seattle is a bubble of absurd politics.

[Orser67]

I think if Democrats choose a relatively obscure former Cabinet official, Ken Salazar or Hilda Solis would be better choices.

[KingSweden]

He's still popular out here for sure, but has the charisma of a doorknob and is yesterday's news.  It'd be like the Republicans picking Tim Pawlenty, not the worst choice in the world, but there are many better.

Also, China hates him and he was widely regarded as a poor ambassador.

Probably just rose-colored glasses in comparison to the widely disliked Gregoire and the worthless Inslee, IMO. (To be fair to Gregoire, she was quite effective. I never understood why she attracted so much vitriol even from committed liberals).

It should also be remembered that Locke was hardly a liberal governor. We largely have him to thank for the condition of transit in this state and Tim Eyman's aura of invincibility.

[Asian Nazi]

He's still popular out here for sure, but has the charisma of a doorknob and is yesterday's news.  It'd be like the Republicans picking Tim Pawlenty, not the worst choice in the world, but there are many better.

Also, China hates him and he was widely regarded as a poor ambassador.

I live in Seattle and never hear about him.  Then again Seattle is a bubble of absurd politics.

Yeah, I grew up in Olympia so my view is probably a little skewed. 

Either way, I think my point about him not being that great a pick still stands.

[Mister Mets]

He has a good resume, but I doubt Hillary's going to go with an elderly running mate, unless there's something very special about that candidate.

He opted not to run for a third term as Governor because he got negative responses when he gave the Democratic response to Bush's SOTU speech. I kinda doubt he wants the scrutiny that comes with being a national figure.

[Crumpets]

As one of the aforementioned Locke fans, I would be very happy if he managed to work his way on to the national ticket. That being said, I agree that I'm not sure if it would be the best overall decision, and I'm not the kind of person that the Democrats need to pander to.

He's still popular out here for sure, but has the charisma of a doorknob and is yesterday's news.  It'd be like the Republicans picking Tim Pawlenty, not the worst choice in the world, but there are many better.

Also, China hates him and he was widely regarded as a poor ambassador.

Probably just rose-colored glasses in comparison to the widely disliked Gregoire and the worthless Inslee, IMO. (To be fair to Gregoire, she was quite effective. I never understood why she attracted so much vitriol even from committed liberals).

It should also be remembered that Locke was hardly a liberal governor. We largely have him to thank for the condition of transit in this state and Tim Eyman's aura of invincibility.

It was a bunch of small things, but in my area specifically, it had a lot to do with the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel, which she specifically told us was off the table, and then made the only option days after she won re-election. I live in a neighborhood that is very disapproving of the whole project, since it essentially cuts off our main access to the south end and I-90. Saying the tunnel would be off the table, I can guarantee, won her votes that she wouldn't have gotten otherwise.

Another big reason was a perceived (whether true or not) impression that she was in the pocket of the casino industry, as exemplified by this ad against her in 2008: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gajY99Opumg Allegations of corruption dogged her pretty often in office, even though nothing stuck, and she did a pretty poor job of trying to paint any other impression of herself. Sort of like Hillary Clinton, but much less politically apt, and with no big achievements to compensate.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

She should pick a young person. Democratic field looking awfully geriatric at the moment, and it would be helpful to have a ready groomed successor waiting in the wings.

[KingSweden]

As one of the aforementioned Locke fans, I would be very happy if he managed to work his way on to the national ticket. That being said, I agree that I'm not sure if it would be the best overall decision, and I'm not the kind of person that the Democrats need to pander to.

He's still popular out here for sure, but has the charisma of a doorknob and is yesterday's news.  It'd be like the Republicans picking Tim Pawlenty, not the worst choice in the world, but there are many better.

Also, China hates him and he was widely regarded as a poor ambassador.

Probably just rose-colored glasses in comparison to the widely disliked Gregoire and the worthless Inslee, IMO. (To be fair to Gregoire, she was quite effective. I never understood why she attracted so much vitriol even from committed liberals).

It should also be remembered that Locke was hardly a liberal governor. We largely have him to thank for the condition of transit in this state and Tim Eyman's aura of invincibility.

It was a bunch of small things, but in my area specifically, it had a lot to do with the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel, which she specifically told us was off the table, and then made the only option days after she won re-election. I live in a neighborhood that is very disapproving of the whole project, since it essentially cuts off our main access to the south end and I-90. Saying the tunnel would be off the table, I can guarantee, won her votes that she wouldn't have gotten otherwise.

Another big reason was a perceived (whether true or not) impression that she was in the pocket of the casino industry, as exemplified by this ad against her in 2008: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gajY99Opumg Allegations of corruption dogged her pretty often in office, even though nothing stuck, and she did a pretty poor job of trying to paint any other impression of herself. Sort of like Hillary Clinton, but much less politically apt, and with no big achievements to compensate.

God, that fycking tunnel. What a debacle. Ed Murray is lucky the Bertha disaster didn't happen before the election or Mike McGinn might still be Mayor. Transportation megaprojects in this state are the biggest nightmare (for reference, here in Spokane they still haven't finished the north-south highway they've been talking about for forty years).

[Ogre Mage]

Locke would be a bad choice and if Hillary chose him I would question my vote for her.  But then again, I must admit I am biased.  For Locke targeted the state agency where I work for closure and then told lies to the press about how staff screamed at him during a private meeting about the closure.

His attempt failed, which shows how "effective" he is.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

It will be same as picking Vilsack. She needs energy from y2K, and Locke wouldn't do it. Bad choice.

[Kingpoleon]

Locke is the only reason Rossi lost in 2004. If he had been any less popular, it could easily have flipped ~1000 votes.

That said, Clinton-Locke is about as good as a Rubio-Pawlenty ticket.