A New Status Cao

IBD Editorials ^ | December 8, 2008

[Kaslin]

Politics: The election of a Republican as the first-ever Vietnamese-American congressman is not an "odd news" item. Joseph Cao represents the future of the GOP — if it wants success.

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The latest Republican standard-bearer was a Navy pilot who was tortured as a POW in North Vietnam. How ironic that in the wake of John McCain's loss, the most exciting victory for Republicans is that of one of the hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese boat people who fled their country's communist regime.

Anh "Joseph" Quang Cao over the weekend won Louisiana's gerrymandered 2nd Congressional District over Democratic Rep. William Jefferson, who had been indicted on numerous corruption charges last year after the FBI allegedly found $90,000 in cash in the freezer of his home.

Beating someone as scandalized as Jefferson might not seem like much of a feat. But that House district has been rigged in favor of Democrats for more than four decades, regularly delivering 75% to 80% majorities to the Party of Jefferson (both of them).

[paudio]

I also think that the future of GOP is more in people like Cao, Jindal, and to some degree, Palin. These are people who don’t necessarily talk much about conservatism even though they hold a strong belief in it. They are more interested in getting things done and run a clean government than preaching about how important conservatism is. I qualified Palin a bit because her position as VP nominee seemed to force her to define her position. For me, it’s obvious that sometimes she’s not familiar with the formulations of some conservative positions.

[trumandogz]

Unfortunately, he will only be in the House one term.

[okie01]

These are people who don’t necessarily talk much about conservatism even though they hold a strong belief in it.

Is conservatism now something that one should keep secret? Like, once upon a time, being gay?

I suspect you don't really believe what you wrote...but you wrote it, anyway.

[Frantzie]

I heard Cao is an immigration attonry. Is he pro-amnesty and open borders?

[JennysCool]

In addition to his great victory, Cao has become the king of headline puns.

[cherry]

she knows what most good hearted, patriotic and law abiding people know....that this country is worth saving and defending....

I care little about "proper" conservative ideologies....

I am to the point that I want younger,more vibrant, more inclusive, more people oriented candidates.....

I want integrity and morals....

[Jess Kitting]

Unfortunately, he will only be in the House one term.

How do you know that?

[trumandogz]

How do you know that?

I have lived in the LA 2nd and spend a great deal of time there and have a good understanding of the population.

Coa won the runoff by capturing the votes of white liberals and middle class blacks. In 2010 the Dems will put up a candidate and those two groups will support that Dem Candidate over Cao.

[paudio]

No, I didn’t mean conservatism to be in a closet. I meant people don’t need to wear it on their sleeve either. What’s important for today is to show results.

[okie01]

What’s important for today is to show results.

And also express your belief system with clarity, so that voters will know what philosophy will inform your judgment.

Without a guiding philosophy, all political promises are meaningless.

Add demonstrable results -- and high character -- to this package...and you've got a winner.