Congressman Cao pictured with his family.
Republican Representative, Joseph Cao, serving Lousiana’s 2nd district, was the ONLY REPUBLICAN to cross party lines and vote YES on the House’s health care reform package. The House bill garnered 219 Democrat votes and one from Republican Joseph Cao of Louisiana. Opposing votes included 176 Republicans and 39 Democrats.
If you feel like giving Cao a piece of your mind – either pro or con on his move- do not bother to call his office (202) 225-6636- his voice mail is FULL! Is this a smart move on his part or a ticket to the end of his political career? I think it was a brilliant political move and will ensure his future success.
Joseph Cao made a big statement by voting in support of HR 3962. Joseph Cao became the only Republican to vote in support of the House health care bill, and it could place him in hot water with his party very soon. Joseph Cao is Louisiana Representative in the House, and one of 177 Republicans that are part of the House of Representatives. On Saturday night, 176 Republicans voted against the House health care bill, but Joseph Cao decided to vote in favor of it. By crossing party lines, Representative Anh “Joseph” Cao may have shown his hand, but he may also be doing exactly what his district wants of him.
Rep. Joseph Cao may be a Republican member of the House, but he is also from a very Democratic district of New Orleans. Keeping that in mind, he could have been voting for what they wanted, or he may have seen this as an opportunity to really curry some favor with President Obama.
More at the LINK
Sources say that President Obama had already contacted Cao and that the two of them would be working to address the critical state of health care in Louisiana. From that stand point, it makes perfect sense for Cao to support a House Resolution that would bring direct benefits to his home.
Damn Red, you beat me. I was going to write a post on Ahn Cao.
If you remember, Art and I both wrote posts about him last year when he became the first (only) Viet-American to make it into Congress, beating the most corrupt Democrat in recent memory, William “Cold Cash” Jefferson.
He also made the news a couple months ago, being (along with Dana Rohrabacher) one of only half a dozen Republicans to join the Democrats in censoring Joe Wilson.
From what I remember writing about him back then, I’d been thinking of his bold pro-health vote not so much as a clever political move but a sincere result of his being a very fervent Christian. The pro-health position always seemed the Christian one to me.
And it’s good and rare to see such independence on that side of the aisle. One wonders how far the GOP will go to sanction its only Viet member. Their big tent is gonna be a pup tent when all’s said and done.
Morning Vern! I didn’t mean to steal anyone’s thunder! You and Art were not the only writers covering Cao on OJ, I see the following link from Claudio Gallegos (March 2009, when CAO was facing a recall) is getting plenty of hits this am:
http://orangejuiceblog.com/2009/03/congressman-joseph-ahn-cao-already-facing-a-recall/
Joseph Ahn Cao is a betting man, at this point. As a GOP’er, he’s voted with President Obama for the stimulus and he’s voted for health reform. He’s voted on behalf of his Democratic Constituents’ interests. However, how will he be paid back? With a strong Democrat challenger or perhaps a “Conservative” candidate put up by the likes of Palin/Gingrich? His life is getting into “Interesting Times”, for sure.
It’s also worth noting that the two guys that WON house seats on Tuesday, Owens and Garamendi both voted YES on HR 3962 as well, it was a VERY close vote and these three, Cao, Owens, Garamendi could be credited with making the difference.
So much for the BIG Republican election VICTORY.
Good Morning, anonster,
Here’s a little story about Teabaggers vandalizing Cao’s wikipedia page: http://digg.com/world_news/Teabaggers_Vandalize_Rep_Joseph_Cao_s_Wikipedia_Page
The Web – Teabaggers managed to briefly vandalize U.S. Rep. Joseph Cao’s (R – LA) Wikipedia page after his landmark stance as the only Republican to vote “Yea” for the House Health Care bill. Wikipedia staff quickly corrected the slander and locked the page to prevent further vandalism.
While I have some measure of honor for Mr. Cao “representing” the wishes of his district I consider him and the 219 Democrats who voted for this swill repulsive!! This bill will do the MOST harm to folks like those in Cao’s district as they are FORCED to buy health care before they can even buy food. Just because it’s cheap, worthless, government, illegal healthcare shouldn’t matter. Perfectly healthy 20-year olds trying to find a job in an economy with a real unemployment rate of 17 percent (and a government calculated unemployment of 10.2 percent) and climbing should not be forced to think about what kind of healthcare they are going to buy before they can get bus tokens to go to a job interview!!
There are numerous clinics in the state to of Louisiana (I know because my company provides their computer systems) that provide sliding fee-or basically free-healthcare to EVERYONE!! No worries about insurance, they don’t expect you to have it. These clinics are at risk and nearly 80%–EIGHTY PERCENT–of doctors say they will quit practicing medicine or move out of the country if this thing goes all the way. Louisiana already has a HUGE shortage of qualified doctors and nurses, they will suffer even greater losses.
This bill does not help Cao’s constituents or anyone else’s. It is going to cost jobs by forcing employers to buy insurance, it’s going to cost doctors who can’t afford to run a practice under these rules, and it’s going to cost patients by having the government (not even doctors working for the government–the decision-making committee is all political appointees) making decisions about what kinds of insurance and services they can recieve and may FORCING–do you understand this is like another income tax–FORCING them to buy insurance or be fined and put in jail. This is an unconstitutional nightmare.
And I think you should check your facts and be sure it was “teabaggers” who vandalized the webpage and afterall–it is Wikipedia, it’s not like anyone can’t write crap there.
Welcome, Marie.
Medicare and Social Security were both opposed strongly in the past with the same kinds of reasoning. We see how all that’s played out – NO Senior would allow those things to be taken away from them now that they are in place. We will just have to see if your gloom/doom scenario comes true. I doubt it.
As far as who has vandalized the Wiki pages, it looks like some dumb homescoolers who don’t know how to access the history tab of the site, thus revealing their IP addresses:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joseph_Cao&ac…
Idiots too dumb to know if they don’t register their IP address is published. It’s already been fixed, btw.
Again, welcome and thanks for posting your comments at OJ.
The only thing i have to say about Mr. Cao, is that he will reep what he has just sown.
If you don’t believe that both politicans care more about their career than their country, have a look at Mr.Cao.
The only thing i have to say about Mr. Cao, is that he will reep what he has just sown.
If you don’t believe that both politicans care more about their career than their country, have a look at Mr.Cao.
You make as little sense as ever, lassie. I was going to argue with your second sentence but you already contradict it in your first. Really I don’t see how Cao survives this next year; voting no he would have still had a black Dem challenger in this overwhelmingly black Dem district; voting yes he’ll still get that plus an angry Republican primary challenger. I don’t believe he was thinking of his career, but of his constituents, and he strikes me as one of the most honest people in Congress. From TPM:
Cao To Steele: Come And Get Me — Just Remember You Need My District
Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA), the lone GOP vote for the House health reform bill that passed late last night, has responded to RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s warnings about stepping outside of party lines. (WATCH Steele: “We’ll come after you.”)
Cao told CNN that Steele retains “the right to come after those members who do not conform to party lines, but I would hope that he would work with us in order to adjust to the needs of the district and to hold a seat that the Republican party would need.” He represents the second congressional district of Louisiana, a solidly Democratic district that includes New Orleans. Cao said earlier today that he put the needs of his district over what was popular with his own party.
Cao’s opponent was former Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA), who was under indictment on corruption charges at the time of the election, widely seen as the sole reason the Republican was able to triumph in this specific district. His unique victory was celebrated by Steele and other GOP leaders, a fact which the young lawmaker is not letting party leadership soon forget.
On November 5, Steele issued the following warning to Republicans considering voting for the House Democrats’ health bill:
Candidates who live in moderate to slightly liberal districts have got to walk a little bit carefully here, because you do not want to put yourself in a position where you’re crossing that line on conservative principles, fiscal principles. Because we’ll come after you. You’re gonna find yourself in a very tough hole if you’re arguing for the president’s stimulus plan or Nancy Pelosi’s health plan. There’s no justification for growing the size of government the way this administration and this Congress wants to do it.
And according to CNN, the freshman Republican from Louisiana isn’t fazed in the slightest:
Cao chuckled when asked about the comment and said he “would like to remind” Steele that he and other Republican leaders trumpeted Cao’s upset win over Democrat William Jefferson last December as a symbol of party diversity. Cao is the first Vietnamese-American member of Congress.
In the same interview where Steele sounded his GOP watchdog alarm, he also said that he wants to “partner as much as possible” with tea partiers — a potent combination that would be sure to stir up some fun reactions in Cao’s district, which voted 75% to elect Obama in 2008.
Cao told CNN that President Obama called him around noon yesterday to personally ask for his vote on the bill. Read Cao’s statement on his vote here: http://josephcao.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=154007
Cao Votes for “Life”; Achieves Legislation to Protect the Health of All Americans
Tonight, Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao (LA-2) voted in favor of the comprehensive health reform bill, H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.
Of his vote, Cao said: “Tonight, I voted to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortion and to deliver access to affordable health care to the people of Louisiana.
Cao said: “I read the versions of the House [health reform] bill. I listened to the countless stories of Orleans and Jefferson Parish citizens whose health care costs are exploding – if they are able to obtain health care at all. Louisianans needs real options for primary care, for mental health care, and for expanded health care for seniors and children.
The bill passed the House at a 220-215 vote.
Cao said: “Today, I obtained a commitment from President Obama that he and I will work together to address the critical health care issues of Louisiana including the FMAP crisis and community disaster loan forgiveness, as well as issues related to Charity and Methodist Hospitals. And, I call on my constituents to support me as I work with him on these issues.
Cao said: “I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to do the business of the people. My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents.
H.R. 3962 included the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which will keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections for health care providers.
Cao said: “Before the Stupak-Pitts amendment was adopted as part of this health reform bill, the bill failed to explicitly include the longstanding policy prohibiting federal funding of elective abortion and plans which include elective abortion.”
According to a letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops dated November 7, 2009, “The [Stupak-Pitts] Amendment will not affect coverage of abortion in nonsubsidized health plans, and will not bar anyone from purchasing a supplemental abortion policy with their own funds.”
Cao said: “Thank to the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, taxpayer dollars will not go to supporting elective abortions, and for thousands of my constituents, this was a top priority. By incorporating this amendment into the health reform bill, my colleagues and I made this bill better, and that is an achievement of which I will always be proud.”
Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, the archbishop of New Orleans, said: “I am grateful to Congressman Cao for his courage and determination to defend life. I appreciate his work to prevent abortion from being included in health care reform and for protecting conscience rights of health care professionals. I – and, I am sure, many in New Orleans would join me – [I] appreciate Congressman Cao’s commitment to the people of New Orleans.”
RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s warnings about stepping outside of party lines. (WATCH Steele: “We’ll come after you.”)
I am disappointed to read these words from a party leader.
You don’t broadcast your future battle plan. If he needs to be taken out I would simply advise Chairman Steele: “Just do it.”
He was a professor,turned monk, turned lawyer and now politician. Here is a video clip of the GOP enthusiastically supporting his run for Congress, just a year ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4ZLMCWf2rQ
You make as little sense as ever, lassie. I was going to argue with your second sentence but you already contradict it in your first. Really I don’t see how Cao survives this next year; voting no he would have still had a black Dem challenger in this overwhelmingly black Dem district; voting yes he’ll still get that plus an angry Republican primary challenger.
I am glad your trying to make sense out of common sense, congratulation!
So, let me make sense of what you are saying. He is Asian, and he will lose to a black candidate because the voters are mostly black. Is that right? So to break it down for all the brain dead out there, that don’t have the same sense as you do. He passed a bill that reaks of socical justice, because he feels minority are underserved. But a minority that will benifit from this Socical justice reform, are still going to kick him out of office, because he still not one of them. Not black enough!
And the abortion thing is a load of nonsense.
Ok, now i get it, he must have been paid off some other way. We just need to wait and see, what he gets out of this, now don’t we laddie:)
Spelling errors: social, minorities
He’s a Republican in a Dem district, so there will certainly be a Dem running against him; and not all of his positions are Democratic ones. And the racial ID won’t help him. I wish him the best of luck and a long prosperous future, but I’m not sure what party he belongs in.
He can swing both ways, the rep/dem’s are the same party with two faces. Other words they are two faced!
I am an independent for a reason, i do not truth either party. And i have a good reason not to truth either party, if you look at what the Orange County Supervisors are up too (all republicans) you would swear they were dems. The Dems are distroying this country outright, the republicans are doing it behind your back!
Don’t truth anyone just based on party affiliation.
The word you are after is “trust.” And by their works shall you know them.
Finally a representitive that does just that:
Represents the interests of his/her district.
I am stunned at the Right Wing pundits who bash Snow, It’s what the people of her state want, and this is what the people of the LA 2nd wanted. Whats so hard to understand bout that.
I was thinking, truthfulness. But yes the word i wanted was trust. Thankyou for the correction.
without the truth, their is no trust. Most politicans, except for the rare odd one..Ron Paul. do not tell the truth, they tell you what they think you want to hear!
Night, Vern:)
All of this discusion about a congressman who got elected on a fluke is laughable.
The only reason he was elected is that no Democrat would run against the incumbent Democrat criminal. Cao was a lame duck as soon a he was elected – no matter his vote on healthcare.
He will get zero support from the Republican party and he is a prime target for the Democrat party. He was toast a soon as he was elected.
And Owens better enjoy his one year in congress. Before this special low turnout election, the best a democrat has done in that ditrict since 2000 is 35% of the vote – toast.
This discussion is not laughable, a lot of us find Cao fascinating and admirable, even if he’s doomed. And as for Owens, we shall see… he did get 49%, and maybe the voters up there will decide they like him!
Cao, we will have to wait and see. If the Republicans put up a nut case and the democrats put up a weak candidate, he could win a 2nd term.
As mad is most people are with both parties he might just win because he is acting independantly.
He needs to go or become a Democrat, no loyalty to the party that he belongs to! what’s a shame
Very good discussions. Jim B – that would be very interesting if that happened.
Here is a Fox interview asking him why he voted the way he did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXEeb0wchP4
If anyone’s still reading this story, the “Club For Growth” is saying that it would be a waste of their money to primary Cao in that district:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/club-for-growth-challening-cao-in-gop-primary-would-be-a-waste-of-money-for-his-district.php?ref=dcblt
The GOP doesn’t want to waste a couple more bucks to see him defeated, I see, Vern.
Here’s another link with the GOP vowing retribution and people calling Cao a host of racial slurs. I guess he’s ONLY as good as the party line.
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/09/boehner-cao-health/
I think Mikey Steele apologized to him for whatever lame threats he threw out. What a mess, the GOP.
Maybe we need more politicians who are “toast before the election” in order to get people who actually vote for the things they believe in. The whole system is royally screwed with lobbyists and election politics dictating every decision these people make. Why do we vote for them in the first place? Do we vote for them so that they can spend their term trying to get re-elected and being wined and dined by lobbyists? I’d be much happier if a politician could throw caution to the wind and look at issues without thinking about who was greasing his pockets or how it will affect his next campaign.
Rep. Joseph Cao has proved to be such an honest and highly capable congressman with his extraordinarily strong determination . He certainly will be voted for by his district in many more terms to come.
Have you heard of loyalty? I was appalled to hear Cao switched sides. Not sure he realizes the impact the HC bill will have, especially to all the Amereicans who work for insurance companies, all the people who make modet income. Like to to see if he chooses the Govt run insurance for his family. God forbid you need a CAT Scan, MRI, because you’ll have to get in line, a very long line. BTW, have you even looked into the providers who charge patients outrageous fees? So what happens, is that the insurance companies have to cover the insane fees. No wonder they have to raise rates. Or what about the 65 percent (nytimes) of people who can afford insurance but chose not to purchase it. Any idea what they pay for their Mercedes, BMW’s? I believe people who make, say, less than 40k should get a gov’t option. How much is your health worth to you? Oh, and in case you’ve havent looked but theres a mcdonalds, jack and box on every corner. Do you really think people are going to change their habits, eating, alcohol etc. Theres got to be a better way than the govt run option. It is socialism and simply unAmerican. CC
It is truly hard to believe Cao is a resident of the city of New Orleans. Of all the cities in America, New Orleans fights against federal involvment in their city. And yet, this man votes for something that takes away our freedoms and represents socialism. Boy, what a change for New Orleans. How about limiting drinking to 3 alcoholic drinks a week to stop alcohol related illnesses, no need to serve beignets they cause obesity and diabetes, or forget about harvesting oysters, the list goes on and on. This New Orleans Political Offical just voted for something that will very quickly take away the rights of the American people. Is it possible to have a recall?