Gary Locke news stories on Newser

China Slams US as Dissident Leaves Embassy

Rob Quinn — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:40:00 CDT

Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng has left the US Embassy in Beijing "of his own volition" after taking refuge there for six days, according to state media. Chen—who escaped from house arrest last month —traveled with US Ambassador Gary Locke to a Beijing hospital, reports the Washington Post . American...

US' New China Ambassador Vows Unity

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 08:52:10 CDT

Gary Locke was "humbled and honored" to today become the first Chinese American to serve as America's ambassador to China, showing a clear eye on cooperation between the two global powers in facing common challenges. "If our people, our business people, our scientists, our students can really join together," Locke...

Obama to Tap Energy Exec for Commerce

Tue, 31 May 2011 11:34:17 CDT

President Obama will nominate businessman John Bryson to lead the Commerce Department, a White House official said today. Bryson's appointment brings another private sector player into an administration that has been making a concerted effort to improve its relationship with the business community. Bryson is a former chairman and chief...

Google CEO Eyed as Commerce Secretary

Mary Papenfuss — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 02:05:48 CST

The Obama administration is considering naming Google CEO Eric Schmidt as commerce secretary, sources tell BusinessWeek . Pfizer CEO Jeffrey Kindler and current US trade representative Ron Kirk are also reportedly in the running. Current Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is being nominated to be US ambassador to China. Presidents often look...

Senate Approves Locke as Commerce Secretary

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:24:59 CDT

The Senate today confirmed former Washington Gov. Gary Locke as commerce secretary, handing President Obama an easy victory after his first two nominees for the post withdrew. Locke, 59, was America's first Chinese-American governor, serving two terms from 1997 to 2005. He has promised to focus on job creation and...

Commerce Nominee Locke Sails Through Hearing

Ambreen Ali — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:38:02 CDT

Gary Locke, President Obama’s third pick for commerce secretary, faced an amiable crowd during today’s confirmation hearing, the Washington Post reports. Locke’s background check was “clean and happy reading” or “boring,” depending on the senator, but not controversial. The former Washington governor—who, if confirmed, would manage a dozen bureaus...

Commerce Nom Locke a Rock Star in China

Gabriel Winant — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:44:08 CST

The third time was the charm for China—at least in terms of President Obama's picks to head the Commerce Department, reports the New York Times. Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke, to be introduced today as the administration's latest nominee, brings a reputation for pragmatism, a scandal-free resume, and deep...

Commerce Pick Has Fundraising Skeletons

Nick McMaster — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:30:01 CST

President Obama's administration surely hopes Gary Locke will prove a relatively uncontroversial pick for Commerce after the messy Bill Richardson and Judd Gregg nominations. Not likely, writes Michelle Malkin, who covered Locke for the Seattle Times when he was Washington's governor. Locke, she reminds, faced a series of probes from...

Obama to Likely Tap Locke for Commerce

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:38:27 CST

President Obama's likely third pick for Commerce secretary is former Washington Gov. Gary Locke, a senior administration official said today. Locke, a Democrat, was the nation's first Chinese-American governor when he served two terms in the Washington statehouse from 1997 to 2005. Since leaving office, he's been working for a...