The Future Is Chaos: GOP Threatens Retribution Against Cao For Health Care Vote
The Future Is Chaos: GOP Threatens Retribution Against Cao For Health Care Vote
Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA) was solely responsible for dashing the Republican leadership’s hopes of having all 177 of its members vote against historic health care legislation on Saturday. Cao broke with his party and voted with Democrats after speaking personally to President Obama and pressing for more federal funds for his district, which is still struggling after Hurricane Katrina. In a statement, Cao explained that the needs of his constituents trumped partisan politicking:
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.
The reaction to Cao from the right wing has been swift and fierce, with some comparing the only non-Hispanic minority in the GOP caucus to Mao Tse Tung and calling him racial epithets. Rep. Don Young (R-AK) — who has defended Cao’s vote — had to stand beside him during Saturday’s roll call, “fending off his GOP colleagues who might have twisted Cao’s arms.” Last week, RNC Chairman Michael Steele made clear that moderates who don’t walk the Party line have no place in the GOP:
So 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.
Cao “chuckled” in response to Steele’s comments, pointing out that his vision would essentially lead the party toward a path of political suicide. “He has the right to come after those members who do not conform to party lines,” said Cao, “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.”
These far right statements represent a dramatic shift from where the GOP said it was heading just a year ago. After Cao won in his majority-Democratic district, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) sent out a memo reading “The Future is Cao“:
As House Republicans look ahead to the next two years, the Cao victory is a symbol of what can be achieved when we think big, present a positive alternative, and work aggressively to earn the trust of the American people.
The GOP seems to no longer be interested in presenting “positive” alternatives or thinking “big.” Its alternative health care legislation didn’t even bar insurers from denying people based upon pre-existing conditions — a top priority of the American public. Additionally, instead of candidates like Cao, far-right candidates who are the darlings of the Tea Party movement (e.g. Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 special election) are winning out over moderates.
So if the “future is Cao,” when will Republicans follow his lead and put their constituents’ interests over those of Republican leaders and right-wing pundits?
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Huh. I guess the bigger insult would’ve been to compare Cao, the first Vietnamese Congressman, to Ho Chi Mihn, but in the mind of the modern GOP, all those Asian looking people must be Chinese.
Realistically, Cao didn’t stand a shot in hell of getting re-elected. A GOP backlash might be the best thing for him; it’ll truly free him up to vote his conscience.
If he’s smart, he’ll become an independent…or join the Dems. It’s the only thing that’ll save his political career.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:02 pmWow. So no matter what your constituents need or want you have to vote outside of your states ideology to please a few?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:03 pmCao represents a heavily Dem district. This vote will ensure his re-election, unless some criminal matter arises in his private life.
Screw the repiggies. Screw the teabagger trash.
At Thanksgiving, don’t let your teabagger relatives and friends steamroll you into sullen silence.
Speak up loudly, pleasantly and proudly, and challenge the dimwits on their nonsense.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:04 pmPehaps Cao should pull a Specter?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:05 pmYep…you gotta love all them independent thinkers in the republican party…NOT! The gNOp isn’t a political party, it’s a dying cult.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:06 pmWhatever happened to that “big tent” we heard so much about in 2000 and 2004? Was that all talk?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:06 pmThe GOP was more shocked than angry to learn that Cao actually has principles ; a concept completely foreign and unfathomable to the rest of them………
November 9th, 2009 at 12:07 pmRep. Cao doesn’t have the Rot-wing baggage of Arlen Specter. He could get elected in his district as a Democrat.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:08 pmPoll results taken back in the summer have already shown that if health care reform fails, the blame will be distributed in the following order regarding the reason it fails: republicans, democrats, the president.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:09 pm“Retribution” – certainly one of the best words to apply to the GOP & right wingers. For them it’s all about attacking, destroying, punishing, hating, getting even. They are a hateful bunch of dishonest, unhappy, anti-American jerks.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:09 pmDon’t have a Cao man!
November 9th, 2009 at 12:11 pmThe repiggies are suffering from Mad Cao disease.
They all need distemper shots.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:15 pmHopefully, the wingnuts will keep calling Cao a “Gook” and advising him to “go back to Saigon, where you belong”.
The Democrats could use an intelligent, courageous new House member who cares about his constituents, and Joseph Cao would most certainly fit the bill.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:15 pmNinerFan says:
“Whatever happened to that “big tent” we heard so much about in 2000 and 2004? Was that all talk?”
I think they coaxed all the moderates and independent thinkers inside….and then began fumigating.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:16 pmRetribution? For what? Not voting in lockstep with all the other Repuggies?
If you were watching the vote Saturday night, you would have seen that Rep Cao didn’t vote in favor until AFTER the vote was 218 Yeas. He didn’t want to be the vote that was the deciding vote, or a vote that actually help pass the bill. Just a cowardly vote to be able to tell his district he voted in favor.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:16 pmHe voted for a health bill that would help more people and his party compares him to a communist nutcup who liked his girls 13 and younger?! Yup, the price is left Cao, come on over.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:20 pmevangenital says:
Speak up loudly, pleasantly and proudly, and challenge the dimwits on their nonsense.
GOP response to evangenital’s statement (while he’s saying it):
I object.
I object.
I object.
I object.
I object.
I object.
I object.
I object.
I object.
I object.
*gavelpound*
November 9th, 2009 at 12:20 pmMy vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents.
and that’s what it’s all about.
thank you, rep. cao.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:21 pmRepresentative Cao did good. If his Republipimp brothers prove to difficult, he could switch sides; there’s always room for another fiscally sane, pragmatic Democrat.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:22 pmIf you watched the vote live as I did, he didn’t cast his vote UNTIL we had reached 218. At this point his vote was questionable. Would he have casted his vote to achieve 218?
He is in perhaps the most Democratic district in his state. In my opinion it was just a grandstand play to save his butt.
My apologies to #15…I didn’t see your post
November 9th, 2009 at 12:22 pmCue Sarah Palin to find some hardcore wingnut to challenge Cao in the 2010 GOP Primary. Then, when said wingnut manages to kick Cao out of the race, he will lose to the Democrat in November.
I wonder how long it will take for Republicans to realize this isn’t exactly a winning strategy?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:22 pmRep. Don Young (R-AK) — who has defended Cao’s vote — had to stand beside him during Saturday’s roll call, “fending off his GOP colleagues who might have twisted Cao’s arms.”
and then proceeded to vote NO…
some guts is better than none?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:23 pmTrade them Lieberman for Cao.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:24 pmWell good for Cao…but really….
….the Republican Party is the one who doesn’t have much of a future.
Good luck with the hate, it only works with your 20%ers.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:25 pmCao did not register his vote until the conclusion was no longer in doubt. He needed to vote for it or he would not have any chance at all for re-election in his heavily Democratic district. He will have hard enough time as it is already.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:25 pmI am sure he did it with the blessings of the GOP.
The progressives have been working aggressively to change the Democratic party. It’s the Republicans turn to undergo their progressive change as well. Cao IS the future of the Republican parrty — they just don’t know it yet.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:26 pmSmiles, well theres two cons being excluded from the repug family come next Nov. as they will fight Cao and Crist So it will be good to watch them shot there only will base of people the southerners, after all look how well they have done with the north like the NY-23rd.
keep it up and well you Conservatives will have that government sides doweling in a bath tub party.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:27 pmLoL 11 Bart
November 9th, 2009 at 12:28 pmI’d rather see Cao run against Vitter than Melancon.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:28 pmmissmolly says:
I wonder how long it will take for Republicans to realize this isn’t exactly a winning strategy?
Realize? Repuglicans “Realize“? Repuglicans don’t “Realize“. Repuglicans already “know” their strategy.
Pssst. Don’t tell the otherwise.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:29 pmSo, obama has resorted to blackmail?
No, blackmail is when YOU get the money NOT giving money when you threaten to expose ones unethical or criminal acts.
Besides Cao wanted to help his constituents and his party wasnt helping.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:30 pm@ 15. COProgressive says: Retribution? For what? Not voting in lockstep with all the other Repuggies? If you were watching the vote Saturday night, you would have seen that Rep Cao didn’t vote in favor until AFTER the vote was 218 Yeas. He didn’t want to be the vote that was the deciding vote, or a vote that actually help pass the bill. Just a cowardly vote to be able to tell his district he voted in favor. November 9th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Well, yes, that’s exactly why they’ll hammer on him for a day or three; he broke ranks when they’re trying to enforce party discipline, he didn’t answer the whip. I’m not inclined to take a shot at him on the basis of where the process stood when he voted; depending on the call order, if it’s a roll call, he could be at the front of the queue or the back. What counts is the cummulative vote.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:30 pmMost astonishing is the attempt to tar Cao with the “Mao Tse Tung” brush.
It is radical right that are playing the part of Communist Party hard-liners: demanding absolute fealty to the party line!
Come to think of it, it would make things so much easier for red state politicos if the party would print up a little red book of the allowed talking points.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:31 pmI’m seeing alot of comments on this post that the teabaggers will kick Cao to the curb. The GOP isn’t gonna consider LA-2nd competitive and will spend their money elsewhere…allowing Palin et.al. to claim Cao isn’t a “real” Republican and they’ll try to fund their own candidate. If individual whackjobs want to waste their money trying to primay Cao, let ‘em.
All it takes is a single Dem without ties to William Jefferson, and Cao loses in a blowout.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:31 pmlets see,
minus one Dem from NY-23 you have 219, take away Cao thats 218 and if they tried ca-10 maybe that would have been 217 and no pass>>>>>
so once again just how bad a defeat the democrats took last Tuesday?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:33 pmSo is Cao now a marxist-leninst-nazi-Hitlerite?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:34 pmHF says:
obama said “no money unless you vote for my bill.” Sounds like blackmail. The chicago way!
Google search for “no money unless you vote for my bill.” = Zero hits.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:34 pmSo is Cao now a marxist-leninst-nazi-Hitlerite?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:36 pmJust like Obama, or so the GOP wants us to think.
With all due respect, how many times does the message need to be repeated by Michael Steele and others like him before it sinks in with people who are registered Republicans and yet consider themselves centrists? Based on what people like Steele are saying, the policies that they’re defending (or opposing), and the level of vitriol which has been pouring forth virtually across the board from the people who support them…it increasingly seems as if the Republican Party is deliberately choosing to turn its back on anything even remotely resembling logic, reason, dignity, courtesy, wisdom, justice, compassion, flexibility, or indeed humanity.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:36 pmVirtual Pebble says:
I’m not inclined to take a shot at him on the basis of where the process stood when he voted; depending on the call order, if it’s a roll call, he could be at the front of the queue or the back. What counts is the cummulative vote.
It was a 15 minute vote, no roll call. I thank Rep Cao for his vote, but he played politics with it. I am happy that Boner and the other Repuggies have they nose out of join though. Now we can call it a Bi-partisan vote.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:37 pmI don’t get it. This guy Cao casts an utterly meaningless vote – after the 218th yea vote had already been cast – that doesn’t jive with the wingnut…er…teabag…er…GOP leadership, and now the enforcers are all on his ass? Seriously? Do these people understand politics AT ALL? I hope they have a good time in the wilderness; they’ll be there awhile.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:38 pm…Cao said that GOP leaders “respect my decision.” “They are very supportive of who I am and I think they are proud of the Republican Party,” he added.
These may be Cao’s last words before he is thrown under the proverbial bus by his “brothers” in the party (more like comrades).
If this doesn’t demonstrate how the Republicans are ALWAYS about putting the party over people I don’t know what would. With the Repiggies, if you are not for us, you are against us. And there is absolutely no room for anyone who thinks differently than the way leadership prescribes.
Tell me again about how much they love freedom? They can’t even tolerate it from one of their own.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:39 pmOT: Dow industrials hit new 52-week high!!!!!!!!!!!!
America is winning! And teabaggers are having a hissy fit!
November 9th, 2009 at 12:39 pmYou’re delusional. bush denied the help and you cheered.
You’re a bigot and a liar.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:41 pmHF says:
Cao now a marxist-leninst-nazi-Hitlerite
No google hits. ;)
Hey, don’t blame me, Olby Sucks.
I’m just the messenger.
Besides, I’m not the one who misquoted Obama.
:O
November 9th, 2009 at 12:42 pmI so hope to see some real polling of voter approval for all the congress members after this vote. I’ll bet Cao’s numbers went up, as did all the Dems that voted yes, whereas I’ll bet ALL the nay voters will suffer a certain amount of negative ratings.
Sure hope they do and publish hat poll so our ‘representatives’ understand they’re not only safe, but safer when they do what we elect them to do
November 9th, 2009 at 12:42 pm[snark alert]
That can’t be!1!1 Obama has put teh economy in teh toilet!1! Obama must be blackmailing teh markets!1!
It’s socilism!1!He’s a socilist facist!
[end snark]
November 9th, 2009 at 12:43 pm–> Wall Street Supports the Democratic Health Care Reform Bill!
November 9th, 2009 at 12:45 pmCAO: My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents.
Now there’s a man who understands his job.
Well done, Rep Cao! Now, brace yourself…
November 9th, 2009 at 12:45 pmProve it, Jeffy.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:46 pmThe one statement I disagree with Cao on is his last sentence.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:46 pm“They are very supportive of who I am and I think they are proud of the Republican Party,” Huh? If they were so proud of you then, why didn’t they vote yes with you?
HF says
November 9th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
obama said “no money unless you vote for my bill.” Sounds like blackmail. The chicago way!
_____________________________________________________________
Provide a link to a credible source or admit you’re a liar.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:48 pm“Cao now a marxist-leninst-nazi-Hitlerite”
s/b Leninist
November 9th, 2009 at 12:49 pmFrom today’s WaPo:
Try again, skippy.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:50 pmGoogled, obama said “no money unless you vote for my bill.”
No hits.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:50 pmDang, when missmolly calls you a liar it sticks.
I’ve never seen her call anyone a liar outright before.
HF, do you realize how bad you make your side look? Do you really think you are helping your cause?
You are helping me. I use your posts as an example all the time.
No one likes you, no one.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:52 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
HufferFckhead
Intelligence isn’t your strong suit…go back to your tent and huff some more gas.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:52 pmMaybe Cao is a real American, unlike the rest of the republicant party.
Why is walking lockstep a postitive quality in your mind? Because of your facist nature?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:54 pmSTORM says:
November 9th, 2009 at 12:55 pm@60
Guess again, he didn’t sell out his party. He stood up for his constituents. He was elected by them to help them. They didn’t pick him so he could rule them. He’s a properly elected official who is an anomaly in the GOP because he actually does his job instead of kowtowing to the Repolitburo party.
SPERM @60 – see post 57. Here, I’ll even quote it again:
Next.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:56 pmI seem to have picked up a case of VDT talking to Storm, anyone got something I can treat it with?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:57 pmSo, all the trolls are accusing Obama of bribing Coa, huh? Could it be that Coa has a conscience because many of his Constituents are poor? That many of the people in his destrict need quality Health care? And as for bribing and arm twisting, the trolls seem to foget Tom(THE Hammer)Delays tactics.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:58 pmYou’re welcome.
- George Washington
November 9th, 2009 at 1:00 pmHF, what exactly is it that you are smoking to make you think Bush had anything to do with the recovery the DOW is trying to make?
November 9th, 2009 at 1:00 pm@68, LOL! Are you friggin nuts?? GW got us into this mess. I would like some of the weed you are smoking!
November 9th, 2009 at 1:03 pmHF, why are you “answering questions with questions”? Are you a “loony lib”?
November 9th, 2009 at 1:04 pmRep Joseph Cao(R-La) 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. [...]
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.
And just who are his constituents?
Median income: $25,514
Breakdown by race:
30.2% White, 64.1% Black, 2.7% Asian, 3.8% Hispanic
I used to live in La’s 2nd and I want to say Thank You to Rep Cao for listening to the wonderful people of his district and not just blindly following the leadership of his party like the other members of it or should I say the sheep.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:04 pmRepiggie trolls are thick.
Don’t waste time debating them.
All they know is CroxNews drivel.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:05 pmobama has only been president 10 months, how could he have anything to do with it? Isn’t that your defense for obama in regards to unemployment? Want it both ways much?
November 9th, 2009 at 1:05 pmSure the last two months Dumbya was in office was spent making sure the market starting recovering nearly a yearly later. Uh-huh, quit huffing glue and read what you’re about to post before you hit submit please.
Unemployment is a lagging indicator. Since you probably haven’t taken Econ 101, that means unemployment is a factor that changes after the economy has already begun to follow a particular pattern or trend, i.e., that began under Bush.
The stock market is A LEADING indicator, which means it shows where the economy is headed, i.e., because of Obama’s policies.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:08 pmUSN@76, If I remember correctly Bush did NOTHING in the last months of his Presidency. He was just biding time till he could get the Hell out of there. We rarely saw him, he was basically hiding out until it was time to leave. Unreal.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:09 pmAs far as HF is concerned, President Obama can do no right. This is because HF is a proven racist who believes the races shouldn’t mix.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:11 pmHF, your suffering is moist and sweet. Continue.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:11 pm@78, Oh, so now a troll will admit BUSH started the bail-outs? If you listen to the ‘Tea-Baggers’ and the Repugs,you would think Obama was the Socialist! Now you admit Bush started it.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:11 pmMan, I think HF might have some issues keeping the continuity in his argument. I think the glue is really hitting him. Could be windex though.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:15 pmBush, September 2008:
Case closed, indeed. Have I schooled you dopes enough today?
November 9th, 2009 at 1:15 pmYour point being that Bush is a socialist, spreading the wealth, so to say? I’m glad to.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:18 pmUmmmm, sorry Twajie, but where is the proof of PRESIDENT Obama stating, Chicago style, that a no vote for the health care bill meant no money for Cao’s district?
November 9th, 2009 at 1:21 pmYOU LIE!
Betty, he’s getting pressure in his ears and has a sharp pain in left arm. I’m not sure he can keep typing. HF?
November 9th, 2009 at 1:21 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
HF you ignorant punkass troll. We already KNOW how stupid and pathetic you are just STFU and let the adults talk. You KNOW you will always be too stupid to contribute to any real conversation
November 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pmthanks for proving my point.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:28 pm—-
Why do you also makes this absurd claim?
HF says:
pd, you’re making stuff up, now.
HF says:
obama said “no money unless you vote for my bill.”
:/
November 9th, 2009 at 1:29 pmBawreck Omerica you are silly.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:29 pmNext?
November 9th, 2009 at 1:30 pm—
Next? I am still waiting for you to calculate the percentage of military crimes as a function of faith but that scared you too much it seems…
He knows I busted him and now he’s trying say I am making stuff up. The Repugs have labeled obama a Socialist, but Bush started the whole bail-out thing. He got caught. You guys are right ,HF is dumb!
November 9th, 2009 at 1:30 pmGiven the number of hours you spend posting foolish comments on blue blogs, it’s clear that you are the very embodiment of FAIL.
Good luck with all your addictions.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:31 pmSTORMfront
You RACIST pile of dogshit. You are a liar and a moron. Did you just drop by to remind us how stupid and dishonest you were? You are an embarassment to the entire human race. Dont you just cry when you think about how stupid you are?
November 9th, 2009 at 1:31 pmSo…to summarize conservative thought:
If the bailouts worked to get the Dow over 10,000, it’s Bush’s bailout.
If the bailouts promise to plunge our children into debt, it’s Obama’s bailout.
:P
November 9th, 2009 at 1:31 pmBretchMORON
It is amusing watching the stupidest most brainwashed people on the planet like you CLEARLY are making total fools out of yourself. Showing how stupid and uninformed you are. How brainwashed and ignorant you are. I love to laugh at morons as stupid as you
November 9th, 2009 at 1:34 pmObama’s Stimulus Plans are WORKING!!
America is winning and the reich-wing teabaggers can’t stand it!
November 9th, 2009 at 1:35 pmPD
Hf IS stupid that is undeniable. He is also a liar so its hard to say which is responsible for his most inane and ignorant posts. It doesnt really matter that much if he is REALLY that stupid or if he is just lying again. He is irrelevant. He doesnt care what is true or real. He is a punkass troll trying to annoy us and NOTHING ELSE
November 9th, 2009 at 1:37 pmIt’s official: The gNOp no longer has room for or accepts people who are sane, thoughtful, compassionate and caring of others less fortunate.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:39 pmIt shows there is hope for america, some one who thinks for his people who elected him.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:46 pmHey Bawreck, are you MIKE?
Or do you just like to copy and paste others posts?
Either way, you’re a mucking foron!
November 9th, 2009 at 1:52 pmWait, so they are comparing Cao to Mao Tse-tung for NOT following the party line when Mao executed people for not following his party? Hmm, I wonder who is more like Mao in this case, Cao or a party led by someone who says “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.”
November 9th, 2009 at 1:55 pmSo acting like a reasonable person looking out for his constituency and voting for their best interests is not behavior suitable for repugniscum.
BTW, I am tired of their disrespecting the party by calling it the Democrat party — if our own congressmen don’t like my name for them – repugniscum – maybe they should refer to them as republick.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:58 pmWhen Boehner referred to Cao as the “future” of the repugniscum party – was he aware of this:
Cao is the first Vietnamese American, as well as the first native of Vietnam, to serve in Congress, and the first Republican to serve in his district since 1890; his district usually votes overwhelmingly Democratic.
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 don’t think he’s rich enough to be considered among the repugniscum…he is more like a Democrat.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:03 pmHF – you are a buffoon.
Yes, Obama is responsible for the turn around in the economy.. although with the steep decline we were on.. it’s not easy.
Yes, the bailouts to banks on GW’s shift I’m sure contributed.. but without the assistance to the underlying infrastructure.. to small businesses, home buyers, car buyers, help to the state governments, teachers, cops, construction.. etc. – wall street would not be rebounding like it has
As far as Cao – you can speculate about what happened in closed door talks all you want.. it’s irrelevant – and what honest individuals should do is accept Cao at his word.. and not project their own lying, corrupt behavior onto him or onto Obama. He says he did it for his constituents.. there’s no reason to think any different.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:34 pmYa gotta laugh that the GOP wants to eliminate the sane folks.
Kinda like the Dems eliminating us old folks.
Stupid.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:19 pmOOoooOOooh, you stay KKKlassy, Donner Party!!!
Kudos to Cao for doing the LEFT thing!
November 9th, 2009 at 3:52 pmThis guy is a RINO POS.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:26 pmConservaTROLL
YOU are an ignorant pile of dogshit. Just kill yourself. There is plenty of time left if you just kill yourself today you will save everyone who WOULD meet you tomorrow of the shame and misery of being in your putrid presence. Go. Do the right thing
November 9th, 2009 at 4:27 pmconservative guy says:
——————————————————————————–
This guy is a RINO POS.
Quit talking about yourself like that.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:27 pmHi conservative guy:
November 9th, 2009 at 4:38 pmCan we get that list of who isn’t yet or have you already run away?
@ 42. COProgressive says: “Virtual Pebble says: I’m not inclined to take a shot at him … What counts is the cummulative vote.” It was a 15 minute vote, no roll call. I thank Rep Cao for his vote, but he played politics with it. I am happy that Boner and the other Repuggies have they nose out of join though. Now we can call it a Bi-partisan vote. November 9th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
In my state, NM, we have a different problem regarding the vote. Our three representatives are all freshmen because all three incumbents in 2008 ran for Pete Domenici’s seat in the Senate and the Democrat, Tom Udall, won. And we got three brand new Dems in the House races, too. One of them, Harry Teague, who is NM 2nd District, is in a deep-dyed red area so he took the “conservative” position and voted no.
I can empathize with Teague’s problem. He’s up against the previous incumbent, Steve Pearce, who’s already declared his candidacy and is a total arse. He combines the worst aspects of Shrub patronage politics and pseudo-con witlessness. In fact, it’s probably just blind luck that Heather Wilson got enmired in the US Attorney scandal instead of Pearce; if Pearce had had a stronger opponent in either the 2004 or 2006 race, he’d have been whining around the WH and Alberto asking for some kind of DOJ throwdown in his district to make the Democrats look bad.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:45 pmmissmolly says:
Cue Sarah Palin to find some hardcore wingnut to challenge Cao in the 2010 GOP Primary. Then, when said wingnut manages to kick Cao out of the race, he will lose to the Democrat in November.
I wonder how long it will take for Republicans to realize this isn’t exactly a winning strategy?
I hope NEVER :)~
November 9th, 2009 at 5:09 pmIn a statement, Cao explained that the needs of his constituents trumped partisan politicking:
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This guy is a Freshman Congressman? Joe LIEberman has been there, how many years, and still hasn’t learned that lesson!
November 9th, 2009 at 5:18 pm(probably cause Dems won’t hold him accountable)
LIEberman already has a “chairmanship,” so what is he hoping the Dems will give him in return for a “yeah” vote?
(guaranteed VP slot in 2012?)
114, I’m an Independent and only vote for conservatives.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:30 pmConservaTROLL
You are a liar a moron and a punkass troll and you need to do the right thing and kill yourself
November 9th, 2009 at 11:29 pmWhen will Republicans follow Cao’s lead and put their constituents’ interests over those of Republican leaders and right-wing pundits?
Trust me, hell will freeze over long before Republicans consider the interests of their constituents.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:07 amSo I just read the article, and found this statement disturbing:
“The reaction to Cao from the right wing has been swift and fierce, with some comparing the only non-Hispanic minority in the GOP caucus to Mao Tse Tung and calling him racial epithets.”
going on further to say,… Read More
“Don Young (R-AK) — who has defended Cao’s vote — had to stand beside him during Saturday’s roll call, “fending off his GOP colleagues who might have twisted Cao’s arms.”
What I find disturbing about this statement is that they make a very serious accusation, painting the GOP with a broad brush, without even a hint of information to back it up. The least they could do is let us know who the offender was. Who was it that said these awful words? Or did the entire GOP chant these racial epithets in unison?
Since they are missing actual information in this accusation, and they are relying on supposition to paint a picture, perhaps I’ll join in the game. Perhaps it went like this.
Perhaps the conservatives – including the 30 something democrats that voted against the bill – were angry with Cao for his decision to trade political favors for a vote that was nothing more than a slap in the face of conservatism. Nothing more…nothing less.
I guess I would just expect more from a blog that is self titled “Think Progress”. I don’t really see how progress can be associated with these kinds of baseless accusations and suppositions.
November 10th, 2009 at 5:16 amRep. Cao’s vote yes was cynical at best, coming after the bill’s passage was assured. He is not welcome in my Democratic Party–we have too many anti-choicers already. What a phony.
November 10th, 2009 at 5:19 pm