Commerce Nominee Gary Locke Has Lobbyist Past

President Barack Obama's third choice to head the Commerce Department, former Washington State Governor Gary Locke, was a partner in the China division of Davis Wright Tremaine, an international law firm dealing with trade issues. Locke lobbyed the Chinese government on behalf of American companies Microsoft, Starbucks, and Weyerhaeuser Lumber, among others. Locke's advocacy on behalf of the companies has raised questions about his ability to lead the Commerce Department.

President Obama has barred former lobbyists from taking positions in his Administraiton that would give them authority over issues on which they have worked as lobbyists. There have been several high profile exceptions to the rules, however, most notably Assistant Secretary of Defence William Lynn. Lynn was the chief lobbyist for defense contractor Raytheon until last year. Obama waived the conflict of interest rules for Lynn less than a week after he signed the Executive Order establishing them. Lynn now manages the day-to-day operations of the Pentagon, as well as oversees military procurement, a position in which he could potentially steer lucrative defense contracts to his former employer.

Locke technically does not run afoul of the rules since he did not lobby the federal government. But like Lynn, he will have responsibility to make trade decisions that could potentially impact his former clients. Asked about the potential conflict, a White House spokesman said that the Administration had every confidence in Locke. "We are confident that Governor Locke will be able to continue to advocate on behalf of American businesses and workers while at the same time adhering to the administration's ethics policy," the spokesman said. The issue will not hold up Locke's confirmation as Commerce Secretary, but it highlights once again that the Administraiton's anti-lobbying rules, established with great fanfare after the inauguration, were more political theater than real reform.