In an inadvertent but deadly accurate description of politicians' oratory, the late Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley once intoned: "We must rise to higher and higher platitudes."

Former Gov. Gary Locke Thursday gave a demonstration of just what hizzoner was talking about.

Locke, a former Hillary Clinton co-chair, was the warmup act at Thursday's Chris Gregoire fundraising luncheon featuring Michelle Obama.

"Are you having a great time?" Locke asked as he took the stage.

It harkened back to Al Gore rallies a decade ago, at which the then-governor would shout:

"Are you all happy?", and then "Are we all proud to be Democrats."

Locke was laying it on for old times' sake (and possibly future federal service) yesterday..

"We have over 1,600 supporters of Chris Gregoire here today," he shouted "Isn't that great?"

In turn, Locke described all of the Greoire supporters as "great people . . . Every one of you is terrific."

The ex-governor wouldn't let the "g" word lie, promptly referring to "the great state of Washington."

Locke then turned to different hyperbole in introducing the state's "first gentleman," gubernatorial spouse Mike Gregoire. "Mike has been an incredible champion of veterans," Locke intoned.

Back to the crowd at hand, Locke then declared:

"This lunch is absolutely amazing." The "g" word was called on again as the former governor asked table captains to stand: "Great, great!!! Awesome job."
The effusing was not limited to those in the call. "This is an incredible day in our state," gushed Locke.

The former gov then turned to the woman who succeeded him in 2005. "Governor Christine Gregoire has been an awesome governor in our state of Washington," Locke said.

The highest of platitudes was reserved for a description of the day's two marquee guests.

"Governor Gregoire and Michelle Obama are two incredibly accomplished women," gushed Gary.

A memo to Sen. Barack Obama: If you do give this guy a job in your administration, please don't put him where we have to listen to him.