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June 3, 2008 4:11 PM

Locke, a Clinton co-chair, now backs Obama

Former Gov. Gary Locke told Seattle Times reporter Ralph Thomas this afternoon that he has switched his support to Barack Obama. Locke was one of three co-chairmen on the Clinton campaign here. We're waiting to hear from Ron Sims and Jay Inslee.

It’s clear that the primary contest is over. Sen. Obama has done an incredible job of inspiring and energizing voters. We need to bring this to an end. We can not wait. This can not go to the convention. It’s time for us all to rally around Sen. Obama.
We should and must rally around him. I am very proud to support Sen. Obama.

Locke said he's not worried about the long, bitter primary fight. In fact, he thinks it will help Obama because it fired up the Democratic base, brought in a lot of new voters and given a lot more exposure to key Democratic issues such as health care, the environment and the economy.

The Democrats have had the luxury of two incredibly outstanding candidates.

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Posted by Niila

5:08 PM, Jun 03, 2008

I knew Gov. Locke had it in him - to do the right thing. I'm proud of him!

Posted by geon

6:29 PM, Jun 03, 2008

Let all switch at the last minute, because they don't want to be seen on the losing side, however Locke is on the losing team.

Posted by John

7:05 PM, Jun 03, 2008

They say on a sinking ship the RATS are the first to leave.

Posted by george

7:29 PM, Jun 03, 2008

Shame on you Gary Locke. I thought you had more integrity than this. You proved your weakness as a governor and the same weakness is shown now. How about havng some courage to stand up for what you believe in and not bend with pressure. I am ashamed I ever voted for you and please know I will never vote for another democrat

Posted by outsider

7:29 PM, Jun 03, 2008

Gary Locke is just watching the way the wind blows. Like many Washington superdelegates — how I hate both that word and the insider concept it represents — he was lobbied hard by Bilary & Co. to join the Clinton camp early on, and took no risk in backing her "entitled" candidacy. Now that the tables have finally turned, he's trying to jump on the Obama bandwagon. I have no respect for him. Only Chris Gregoire took the bold step of supporting Obama when it counted, and I hope that will lead to victory for both of them in November.

Posted by Nella

7:40 PM, Jun 03, 2008

I respect the guy but I'm still staying with Hillary. All the way to Denver and beyond.

Posted by Brian

7:46 PM, Jun 03, 2008

Is "George" another dope user Limbaugh plant?

Locke didn't use all of his political capital when he was governor but he outwitted the Republicans and did alot of good. The Republicans were obstructing him most of the time but he still out smarted them with line item vetoes.

I guess the Republicans are still piss about

Posted by Strickland

8:03 PM, Jun 03, 2008

I'm glad Hillary kept fighting to the end and
didn't concede juse because others told her to.

This way the people know that the Dems are tough, and the winner of the Democrat primary really deserved to win.

If Hillary had conceded early the Dems would be living up to that disgusting image the Republicans paint of Dems as obliging pushovers who bow
to pressure.

A Obama-Clinton team is gonna rock !

Posted by Dude

8:10 PM, Jun 03, 2008

Ron Simms is an idiot. Expect to hear from him after Obama is sworn in 2009.

Posted by BurlesonBlue

9:13 PM, Jun 03, 2008

So, dude, how's that Sims prediction turning out?

Posted by upchuck

9:17 PM, Jun 09, 2008

Locke is a pawn of the corporate WTO class and the military industrial complex. He sold out our entire state to Boeing to the tune of Billions with perks that no other independent biz's enjoy.

Now that Obama has to deal with the entire party behind him, I hope he can be strong enough to keep the party together enought to win without capituating to the DLC and other corporate pigs.