who wants to be a commerce secretary? gary locke, photo via wikipedia [#]

The Obama administration continues to plunder Washington’s political riches in filling out the admin: first Ron Sims for a top spot at Housing and Urban Development, then Kerlikowske to run the Office of National Drug Control Policy [nyt], and now Gary Locke for Commerce Secretary. [gawker]

Remember those heady few hours when the northwest blogoverse suspected the cabinet post might be going to Christine Gregoire when she disappeared for top secret weekend foray to visit the troops? In a weird way the rampant speculation has now been remedied by generality — a Washington governor might become Commerce Secretary. That is, if his nomintation doesn’t get sidetracked like the previous two contenders who withdrew after fundraising investigations (Bill Richards) and discovery of deep-seated Republican fiscal conservatism (Gregg).

As long as he comes across better than he was awfully portrayed in Battle In Seattle he should be just fine.