Posted on 02/24/2010 7:07:38 PM PST by max americana
WASHINGTON (AP) - The lone Republican lawmaker to support Democratic health care legislation has seen his fundraising drop by nearly 40 percent since his vote, and he is quickly burning through a dwindling bank account after resorting to a costly national fundraising operation. Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, the unlikely congressman from New Orleans, is facing the perils of bipartisanship unlike any other lawmaker in Washington - trying to please a heavily Democratic constituency while relying on core conservatives for money to fuel his campaign.
Although Republican leaders have continued supporting Cao with money from their campaign committees despite his health care position, the conservative donors he's courting around the country may not be so forgiving. A Vietnamese-American, Cao (pronounced gow) won his seat in 2008 even as President Barack Obama took 75 percent of the vote in the district, which is 60 percent black.
snip
Even in a favorable political climate for Republicans, Cao's contributions have fallen sharply since he was alone among 178 GOP House members to vote for the health care bill on Nov. 7. He raised less than $250,000 during the three months surrounding the vote, compared with nearly $400,000 the previous quarter. At the same time, he spent more than he raised - with nearly $9 of every $10 going to buy conservative donor databases, send solicitations and pay for consultants and other fundraising expenses, according to an Associated Press review of his campaign finance report.
SNIP
Heading into the midterm election season, Cao had just $315,000 in the bank - a weak tally in an age when incumbents frequently stockpile $1 million or more. One of Cao's two Democratic opponents, state Rep. Cedric Richmond, is gaining on him, with about $225,000 cash on hand, in part from self-financing.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...
Why has fundraising dipped 40% if he represents a heavily Democrat constituency?
Although Republican leaders have continued supporting Cao with money from their campaign committees despite his health care position......
And the GOP wonders why donations are down ??
Actually, there was an article about Cao being snowed in and not making it to the superbowl party. Article may have been on NOLA.com, I think.
Mr Cao would be wise to accept that Scott Brown prevailed in a strongly RAT “district” in a campaign that was *all* about HusseinCare.
He must’ve been heartbroken not to hang out with Zero then. (sarc/)
Because his constituency is "Cold Cash" Jefferson's old district -- about 90% Democrat and 70% black.
They wouldn't give him a dime -- even if they had one.
Being realistic, out-of-district fundraising is about the only way Cao can get the money to run a campaign.
Exactly. If you only support Sara Palin, why would you send your hard earned $$ to the GOP? Send it directly to the specific PAC of your choice. Giving money to the GOP is like handing money to a crack-whore.
No doubt he’ll find some other way fraternize with obozo in da house.
for your enjoyment: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/02/rep_anh_joseph_cao_snowed_out.html
And the GOP wonders why donations are down ??
&&&
Uh-huh
Reminds me of stinking New & Dede plus Beck & O’Reilly. All Obama collaborators!
I heard that he’s already said he wouldn’t vote for the bill if it came back through the House - too little too late.....
It was a special election, after Jefferson graduated to the pen.
All elections in Louisiana are all-comer, so that there were several Democrats...and Cao. He didn't have much money to start with -- but he was well-known and respected in the district.
You know the 'Rats are going to come back at this district with a vengeance. And the only real source of funding available to Cao is the party and national contributors.
I've never held his heathcare vote against him. Had we needed his vote to stop the thing, he promised Boehner he'd deliver.
Boehner then held him out until all the other votes had been cast. As it happened, his vote made no difference. So, he voted for the bill -- which was what his constituents wanted.
With any luck, this has been a learning opportunity for him to get back to core values. He's got alot of learning to do--and selling to do.
Why ?
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