When Cao was elected, a lot of folks thought he was the best thing since sliced bread, I warned them to hold off on judgment until he started to vote. He was already giving off warning signs throughout the year that he wasn’t with us, and this was the crowning vote.
I think he honestly believes he has a shot at winning reelection next year by moving far-left. As far as I’m concerned now, he’s given comfort to the Democrats to shove a monstrosity and abomination down our throats, and his reelection now no longer matters to me. He could’ve voted the right way and preserved his viability for another LA office after he loses reelection next year, stood on principle, but now he will lose anyway because Republicans won’t support him, and the Dems will have no use for him, preferring a Black Dem in this seat, so he just destroyed his own political future either way. What a shame.
He represents a majority African American district that normally votes Democrat. His votes undoubtedly reflect the views and desires of his constituents. If he does not vote for their interests when the major bills come to vote, he will lose his bid for reelection.
News reports indicate he withheld his vote until it was clear the Democrats had the majority they needed to pass the legislation. One could infer he was prepared to vote against the bill if his vote would have changed the outcome.
Unfortunately we do not have a color blind society. African American majority districts have been gerrymandered throughout the country. Given the predisposition of African Americans to vote in a block for race and the Democrat party it is nearly impossible for a non African American Republican to be elected to office in these districts. If the Republican party is to have any chance of capturing more minority voters it must take advantage of these opportunities, recognizing to preserve the seat the representative will have to serve his/her constituents. I’d rather have an Republican of any race who votes conservative 20% of the time representing this district than a Democrat of any race who votes far left 100% of the time. The 20% is better than nothing and over time we have the open up the minds of the voters in that district to new ideas.
The Democrats are capturing “white” southern districts with their blue dog strategy. They don’t get 100% allegiance from these representatives but they do get enough support on key votes to pass the critical elements of their agenda as we’ve just seen.
To return to majority status, Republicans will have to capture some moderate to left leaning districts. We cannot win and capture those districts without representing the wishes of those voters.
Recognize today the Republicans have no leadership and are coming across to the public as having no ideas. They are playing defense and showing up as the party of “no”. The party lost the elections of 2006 and 2008 because it gave the people nothing to vote “for” and they had been fiscally irresponsible during the time they had majorities in Congress. The Democrats came to power with a promise of “change” and the public responded to that agenda, giving the Dems large majorities in the legislature as well as the Presidency. Until the Republicans move from the party of “no” to a positive message, we have no chance to shift the balance of power. While a Republican alternative health care plan was defeated yesterday, who knew anything about it?
While I’m disappointed Cao didn’t stand with the rest of the party on this vote, I don’t blame him. Had he voted no on principle, he would have assured his loss in the next election and received nothing in return. This way, he voted with his constituents as they elected him to do. He can fight his opponent with a record of serving his constituents without the corruption of his predecessor. He will have given them reasons to vote for him rather than against him. A Congressman actually representing the preferences of his district. What a novel concept!
He represents a majority African American district that normally votes Democrat. His votes undoubtedly reflect the views and desires of his constituents. If he does not vote for their interests when the major bills come to vote, he will lose his bid for reelection.
News reports indicate he withheld his vote until it was clear the Democrats had the majority they needed to pass the legislation. One could infer he was prepared to vote against the bill if his vote would have changed the outcome.
Unfortunately we do not have a color blind society. African American majority districts have been gerrymandered throughout the country. Given the predisposition of African Americans to vote in a block for race and the Democrat party it is nearly impossible for a non African American Republican to be elected to office in these districts. If the Republican party is to have any chance of capturing more minority voters it must take advantage of these opportunities, recognizing to preserve the seat the representative will have to serve his/her constituents. I’d rather have an Republican of any race who votes conservative 20% of the time representing this district than a Democrat of any race who votes far left 100% of the time. The 20% is better than nothing and over time we have the open up the minds of the voters in that district to new ideas.
The Democrats are capturing “white” southern districts with their blue dog strategy. They don’t get 100% allegiance from these representatives but they do get enough support on key votes to pass the critical elements of their agenda as we’ve just seen.
To return to majority status, Republicans will have to capture some moderate to left leaning districts. We cannot win and capture those districts without representing the wishes of those voters.
Recognize today the Republicans have no leadership and are coming across to the public as having no ideas. They are playing defense and showing up as the party of “no”. The party lost the elections of 2006 and 2008 because it gave the people nothing to vote “for” and they had been fiscally irresponsible during the time they had majorities in Congress. The Democrats came to power with a promise of “change” and the public responded to that agenda, giving the Dems large majorities in the legislature as well as the Presidency. Until the Republicans move from the party of “no” to a positive message, we have no chance to shift the balance of power. While a Republican alternative health care plan was defeated yesterday, who knew anything about it?
While I’m disappointed Cao didn’t stand with the rest of the party on this vote, I don’t blame him. Had he voted no on principle, he would have assured his loss in the next election and received nothing in return. This way, he voted with his constituents as they elected him to do. He can fight his opponent with a record of serving his constituents without the corruption of his predecessor. He will have given them reasons to vote for him rather than against him. A Congressman actually representing the preferences of his district. What a novel concept!