If you think that U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is already our new U.S. Ambassador to China, you are wrong. The last ambassador, Jon Huntsman, left in April, and the position is now vacant.
Nominated in March, Locke has yet to be confirmed by the Senate. When? No one knows.
The Republicans and Democrats in Congress are still fighting budget details. Currently, confirming an ambassador isn’t their priority. The only thing Locke can do is to wait, prepare for the confirmation hearing, and continue to work in his present job.
The confirmation process is intimidating. Senators can ask all kinds of tricky questions to break the nominee’s nerves. According to insiders, not many problems are expected for Locke at the Senate hearing. A pro in high-pressure situations, Locke should be able to handle it with finesse.
His supporters are all waiting for the historical moment when the first Asian American will head the U.S. Embassy in China. Be patient, the champagne toast is coming! ♦
Edited 5/26: Locke breezed through confirmation hearing! at 7 a.m., Pacific Time.
