Obama to tap Governor Gregoire to head U.S. Department of Commerce? Nope
Rumors are flying like crazy this evening that President-elect Barack Obama is planning to announce that our very own Governor Chris Gregoire is his new choice to head the United States Department of Commerce.
[UPDATE, 7:48 PM: Gregoire's legislative director, Marty Brown, is telling reporters that Gregoire did not travel to Washington, D.C. to accept a job with the Obama administration. However, Gregoire is scheduled to make an important announcement tomorrow morning at 6 AM. We'll keep you posted.]
The Associated Press put a brief out on the wire just a little bit ago saying that Gregoire had disappeared and her whereabouts unknown. The Stranger's Eli Sanders then tried to get answers from Gregoire spokesperson Laura Lockard, but none were forthcoming in that conversation.
If this speculation is true, it would be a nice boost to Obama's cabinet, but a huge loss for the State of Washington. We don't like Governor Gregoire's 2009 budget proposal, nor were we happy when she called a special session to reinstate Tim Eyman's Initiative 747, but she's been one of the best governors we have ever had, and the campaign to reelect her in 2008 was extremely long and difficult. If Gregoire goes to Commerce, it'll be hard not to feel robbed.
Washington's Constitution says that the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new governor in the event of a vacancy:
Of course, this could all just be unfounded speculation that is totally off base. It's certainly plausible that the Governor is up to something else that we don't know about. Just because she canceled a speaking engagement and her office won't disclose where she is doesn't mean she is set to join Obama's cabinet. Given that there's no source confirming The Stranger's hypothesis, and the Associated Press refrained from explicitly feeding the rumor mill, odds are it isn't true.
[UPDATE, 7:48 PM: Gregoire's legislative director, Marty Brown, is telling reporters that Gregoire did not travel to Washington, D.C. to accept a job with the Obama administration. However, Gregoire is scheduled to make an important announcement tomorrow morning at 6 AM. We'll keep you posted.]
The Associated Press put a brief out on the wire just a little bit ago saying that Gregoire had disappeared and her whereabouts unknown. The Stranger's Eli Sanders then tried to get answers from Gregoire spokesperson Laura Lockard, but none were forthcoming in that conversation.
Q: Is Governor Gregoire going to be Obama's nominee for Commerce Secretary?Gregoire is definitely in Washington, D.C.
A: “We’re not able to speak to that so we’ll do a release in the morning.”
Q: Where is she?
A: “She’s out of state.”
Q: Is she in the country?
A: "I’m not allowed to say.”
Q: Is she going to continue as Governor of Washington State?
A: "I’m not allowed to say.”
If this speculation is true, it would be a nice boost to Obama's cabinet, but a huge loss for the State of Washington. We don't like Governor Gregoire's 2009 budget proposal, nor were we happy when she called a special session to reinstate Tim Eyman's Initiative 747, but she's been one of the best governors we have ever had, and the campaign to reelect her in 2008 was extremely long and difficult. If Gregoire goes to Commerce, it'll be hard not to feel robbed.
Washington's Constitution says that the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new governor in the event of a vacancy:
In case of the removal, resignation, death or disability of the governor, the duties of the office shall devolve upon the lieutenant governor and in case of a vacancy in both the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, the duties of the governor shall devolve upon the secretary of state.So Brad Owen would succeed Gregoire if she does in fact accept the job... at least at first. Then we'd have a special election to pick a new governor.
Of course, this could all just be unfounded speculation that is totally off base. It's certainly plausible that the Governor is up to something else that we don't know about. Just because she canceled a speaking engagement and her office won't disclose where she is doesn't mean she is set to join Obama's cabinet. Given that there's no source confirming The Stranger's hypothesis, and the Associated Press refrained from explicitly feeding the rumor mill, odds are it isn't true.
# Posted by Andrew : 6:51 PM
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