Former guv Locke pick for Commerce

WaPo reports: Former Washington governor Gary Locke is likely to be President Obama's choice to head the Commerce Department, according to several administration officials briefed on the decision.

WaPo did NOT mention the USPTO in its story, but did note:

The Commerce Department's stated mission is to promote U.S. economic growth, but Locke would face several other immediate challenges if confirmed, including the 2010 census. The administration's decision to move more oversight of the census into the White House was cited by Gregg as among the key factors in his decision to step aside as Obama's choice for the job.