Let us now praise Anh “Joseph” Cao…
The lone Republican vote for the House health care package, a former Jesuit seminarian who represents Louisiana’s second district. From his website:
“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…”
“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.”
He seems like a fellow who means it, and for a freshman rep to buck the entire party on this is pretty remarkable. Maybe this has something to do with it, from his Wikipedia entry:
Cao is the poorest member of Louisiana’s delegation (including the state’s two senators) in Congress: as of 2009 his assets were no greater than $195,000 and his potential liabilities mounting to $215,000, including student loans for himself and his wife.
I think we need a hymn. Kathy?
Be proud, Fordham, be proud. Rep. Cao has a master’s degree in philosophy from there.
Rep. Cao is my representative, and I must admit that his mailings have impressed me as rational, if too conservative. I might even vote for him next election — not because there won’t be a better Democratic candidate running but because I think the worst practical problem in the U. S. right is the moribund Republican Party. That the likes of Rush Limbaugh could actually be considered a Republican leader is frightening. The country desparately needs rational Republicans with guts like Cao’s. (I can’t believe I said we need Republicans.)
True, he was elected in a basically Democratic district largely because his predecessor was “Dollar Bill” Jefferson (who is facing a min. 23 years in jail because of the $$$ in his freezer), and Cao wouldn’t have a chance next election if he voted against the bill. But the rest of the Republicans don’t even see the necessity to compromise. They’re pig-headed, pig-headed, pig-headed.
So, Yay, Joe!
Ann, thanks for the impressions and actual news from on the ground. The Corner at NRO has already started the drumbeat against Cao:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/
But Deal Hudson and others are stepping up to his defense.
http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_myblog&Itemid=127
The other question is will Cao get any rewards from Dems? He is hugely vulnerable, it seems, as it is such a Democratic district. But would the wiser–in not nobler–thing to do be to take a pass on strong opposition to Cao? Somehow I doubt that will happen. But you know better than I.
Cao could be as devlish for the GOP as Stupak is for the Dems. It seems the Dems have a head start on Big Tentism with Obama in the White House and years of pro-life Dems struggling to be heard. The GOP struggle is only now commencing, and of course would require the flexibility on the pro-choice side that Gingrich (newly-minted Catholic, he) espouses but which got shot down in NY-23. Hmmm…
Cathy: Words by Ecclesiastes!
Here’s a bit more about the political ramifications for Cao, from the local Times-Picayune:
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1257834103163070.xml&coll=1
His future would have been shaky anyway had he voted with the Republicans.