| Who is most powerful person in American politics right now? It can be argued among many, but certainly one that surfaces this year, in particular, is the Secretary of Commerce, former Washington Governor Gary Locke, a Democrat. The Chinese American is responsible for the conduct of the U.S. Census. That tabulation in turn dictates the representation in the House of Representatives, by state; and the formula by which billions of federal revenue sharing dollars are distributed. In Florida, the Republicans are already arguing about whether unregistered or undocumented aliens should be counted. It is widely anticipated that traditional Rust Belt states, like Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Katrina-torn Louisiana will lose states in the Congress. The winners, driven by the surge in immigrants coming from their borders, will probably be Sun Belt states like Florida, Texas and Arizonia, among others. It will get particularly ugly when incumbents run against each other for consolidated existing seats. The stakes could not be higher. That's who dat--Gov. Gary Locke |
