One Republican Votes For Healthcare Bill [District: 60% Black & 60% Democratic]

LATimes ^ | November 08th, 2009

[Steelfish]

One Republican Votes For Healthcare Bill

Anh 'Joseph' Cao of Louisiana was elected last year to replace Rep. William J. Jefferson, who faced corruption charges.

"My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents," Anh "Joseph" Cao said of his lone Republican vote for healthcare reform. (For The Times)

By Steve Padilla November 8, 2009

Anh "Joseph" Cao, a Vietnamese-born former ethics teacher and Catholic seminarian, last winter surprised and delighted Republicans by defeating a longtime incumbent in a heavily Democratic congressional district in Louisiana.

He provided another surprise -- but probably no delight -- to his party on Saturday when he became the lone Republican to vote for the healthcare bill pushed by President Obama.

"I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to do the business of the people," Cao said in a statement posted on his website. "My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents."

In a special election in December, Cao of New Orleans defeated Rep. William J. Jefferson, who had represented the 2nd District since 1991. Although Jefferson was battling corruption charges -- federal agents famously found $90,000 in cash in his freezer -- Cao still faced an uphill battle.

He was a political neophyte who was running in a district that is 60% black and 60% Democratic

[Repeal The 17th]

I really don’t understand how he got elected in the first place.

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

It was in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav and the turnout was very very low.

[LIConFem]

There's a special place in Tartarus for the likes of him, and he knows it.

Sig Semper Tyrannus.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Does Cao know about the Queen Antoinette language that Pelosi got into the bill?

[trumandogz]

It was in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav and the turnout was very very low.

Gustav had nothing to do with the turnout of this election.

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

I’m pretty sure I remember reading something to that effect on NRO refering to his election in the aftermath of Rep. Jefferson situation.

[ncalburt]

Jefferson was still on the Dem ticket after being indicted and many voters were still sucking down the free stuff in Baton Rouge or elsewhere and did not vote. Cao is goner next election so he was desperate to get good press from the Leftist rags in NO area , he sold himself out for money he will never see . The Soviet term USEFUL IDIOT comes to mind.

[randita]

At least you have to give the guy credit for actually listening to the voices of his constituents. If Democrats did that, there’s no way this bill would have passed.

[devere]

He’s doing his best to get reelected.
If that district stays Republican for more than one election it will be a miracle.

[jyoders19]

It would’ve passed without him, anyway, and he waited until there was 219 on the board to cast his vote. If it helps this district stay red next year I’m okay with it.

[trumandogz]

Trust me, things in New Orleans mover very slow, but not that slow.

Gustav hit Louisiana on August 30, 2008

Cao won election to the House on December 6, 2008

Gustav had not impact on an election that occurred more than three months after its landfall.

[jyoders19]

Cao beat the then-indicted Dollar Bill Jefferson after the NRCC and all the republican funding organizations basically ignored him. It will be a miracle if he’s reelected to that district next year and then we’ll have a democrat who votes with Pelosi every time representing it.

[traditional1]

"If that district stays Republican for more than one election it will be a miracle."

You're kidding, of course?

"Republicans" like him are in the likes of Olympia Snowe and other RINO's that dilute the Party, and take the place of a true Reagan-Republican.

You ARE right, though, in that with Democrat gerrymandering of Districts to assure "minority representation", the Gubmint Trough Feeders give the Dem's their power to keep the entitlements flowin' from "them rich white dudes.....".

[traditional1]

"If that district stays Republican for more than one election it will be a miracle."

You're kidding, of course?

"Republicans" like him are in the likes of Olympia Snowe and other RINO's that dilute the Party, and take the place of a true Reagan-Republican.

You ARE right, though, in that with Democrat gerrymandering of Districts to assure "minority representation", the Gubmint Trough Feeders give the Dem's their power to keep the entitlements flowin' from "them rich white dudes.....".

[mono]

...dont understand how he got elected.....

Jefferson was headed to jail and the demoralized Dems didnt run a good candidate. They will in 2010 and probably take the seat back.

[jmaroneps37]

He knows he’s gone next year either way, but now at least he has no future as a Republican lobbyist.

[depressed in 06]

...Dems didnt run a good candidate. They will in 2010 and probably take the seat back.

With the Fascicrats that is an oxymoron, or, at the very least a moron.

[flintsilver7]

...60% black and 60% Democratic...

I'd just like to point out those points are redundant.

[jonrick46]

This is one whacked out congressional district. When Cao voted against Obama’s Economic Stimulus Bill, a recall petition was filed against him February 16, 2009. One of the petitioners, Toris Young (Rap Star “C-Murder”), was an ex-con now charged with second degree murder, who also served prison time for 11 counts of access device fraud and identity theft. I think that when this recall petition happened, Anh “Joseph” Quang Cao lost his drive to vote his convictions. He entered into the realm of RINOerism and even joked about being a “closet Democrat.”

Cao was one of only seven Republicans to vote in favor of the resolution of disapproval towards Congressman Joe Wilson for his outburst against Obama during his joint House State of the Union Address.

This is a image of a congressman who reads the political tea leaves and lacks to spine to stick up for his convictions. And if the Republican Party does not show some conviction, cast off the negative attacks of being locked in “political group think,” it will be history in little less than a year.