As Jim Geraghty writes, “Joseph Cao’s Opponents, Left With No Easy Avenue of Attack:”
Neither of the most prominent Democrats who seek the job of Rep. Joseph Cao, R-Louisiana — State Representative Juan La Fonta or State Representative Cedric Richmond — has anything about the congressman’s health care vote on their campaign web sites. And what is left for a Democrat challenger to say? “I would have pushed the “aye” button harder”?
Cao represents, by far, the most Democrat-leaning district currently represented by a Republican right now. By casting this vote, Cao has a chance – not a great chance, but a chance – of winning reelection by arguing that he always puts the interest of his district first, and is willing to defy the arm-twisting of every other GOP member.
Or, he could have left Nancy Pelosi with 219 votes, and guaranteed his defeat in 2010.
UPDATE: I’m informed Richmond did issue a statement, denouncing Cao for voting to block the bill on his previous procedural votes and noting that his yes vote came “after the bill had already received the two hundred and eighteen votes to secure a majority.” Richmond pledges to “break from Congressman Cao’s record of ineffectiveness and blind partisanship.”
Well, yeah — just watch this video interview with Cao, and it’s immediately obvious that the man is a fire breathing hyper-partisan right wing neocon death beast who listens to hours and hours of Rush Limbaugh each and every day.
“By casting this vote, Cao has a chance – not a great chance, but a chance – of winning reelection by arguing that he always puts the interest of his district first, and is willing to defy the arm-twisting of every other GOP member.”
Where is my shovel? It’s getting so deep. Rush Limbaugh often says that voters given a choice between a “moderate” Republican and a real Democrat—will almost always go with the real Democrat! This is especially true of a predominantly black Democrat district. Given a choice between an ethnic Vietnamese, moderate Republican and a black Democrat candidate—the latter will win 99.99% of the time. Cao’s victory in 2008 was a fluke. His only real chance in 2010 depends on him switching to the Democratic Party. The odds are at least 50/50 that’s exactly what he will do. Obama’s people have probably given him a few not so subtle hints in that direction.
I was hoping you would be a new face in the Rpublican Party who stood for smaller government, less taxes and spending and non retioning of helth care for the elderly who I am sure are some of your constituants. Now I know I cannot count on you to be a true Rebulican. I hope the rumors are not true that you will turn and be a member of the Democratic party. The people who have sent money to you are also your constituants.
Sincerely,
Marilyn G. Gray Thgis letter is 2 pages