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Campaign Crawlers
Cao's Dilemma
The Blue Dogs aren't the only members of Congress sweating their vote on health care reform as Congress prepares to go into recess. Congressman Joseph Cao of Louisiana won't have a very relaxing August either.
Cao represents New Orleans and Jefferson Parish, the most Democratic district held by a Republican congressman. Before his upset victory last November, New Orleans hadn't sent a Republican to Congress since 1891. The Vietnamese-born Cao was able to slip into the seat in large part because he was running against incumbent William Jefferson, who was being indicted on federal corruption charges during the campaign.
President Obama carried this district with nearly 80% of the vote last year. The economically depressed and hurricane-battered area reports a median income just above $25,000. Currently, the district is 64.1% black and only 10% of registered voters are Republicans. In this economically liberal climate, Cao is under serious pressure to buck his party and vote with the president on health care.
But Cao faces mounting pressure from the Republican Party as well due to his heavy reliance on the conservative base for financing. In the last quarter, he has been a leading GOP fundraiser with $370,000 raised in large part due to the Patriot Program, a project by the National Republican Congressional Committee designed to raise money for vulnerable Republican incumbents.
According to opensecrets.org, Cao has generated thousands in donations utilizing the help of solid conservatives and their political action committees. Such donations include $40,000 from Pete Sessions for Congress, an additional $5,000 from Sessions' PAC, People for Enterprise Trade and Economic Growth; $9,500 from former Congressman Bob Livingston's lobbying firm, Livingston Group; $2,000 from Friends of John Boehner; and $2,000 from Friends of Jeb Hensarling. Sessions, Boehner, and Hensarling have all received 100% ratings from the American Conservative Union.
Sessions and Livingston ranked 1st and 3rd, respectively, as Cao donors. Also a top ten donor was the Committee for the Preservation of Capitalism. If Cao votes for the health care bill, with its increases in taxes and spending, he may lose the financial support that he will likely need in order to compete against a Democratic challenger in 2010.
At an AAA healthcare event in New Orleans, on July 1, Cao said "the majority of the district does not have sufficient healthcare... we are working extremely hard to find the necessary federal funding." On July 23, Cao's communications director, Princella Smith, told TAS that Cao had not yet taken a position on the health care vote and was still reading the bill. The bill had been made public on July 14.
The congressman faces possible votes on several controversial provisions. The Republican voters and donors don't want him to raise taxes. Cao has stated that he does not want to add to the deficit. The House Democratic bill does both. Furthermore, because the bill mandates abortion coverage, the congressman may need to oppose it on pro-life grounds as well. Cao had been in a Jesuit seminary before pursuing politics.
Cao has repeatedly expressed his support for President Obama, scoring him an "A" when grading his first 100 days in office. When asked in a New Orleans Channel 6 interview how he identifies himself politically, he refused to call himself a conservative. Cao had been a registered independent until two years ago.
Regardless of how the congressman votes on the health care bill, he will face difficulties getting re-elected in 2010. With the daunting challenge in mind, Cao appears willing to position himself as needed in the district. He went against party lines in co-sponsoring the Hate Crimes Bill, was one of the four GOP congressmen voting for the war supplemental funds, which were stacked with spending unrelated to war (Cao said his vote was motivated by funding for Gulf Coast restoration projects). Cao has not shown a lot of shame with respect to earmarks -- his district has requested three times the state average for Louisiana congressmen. While he did vote against the stimulus, he justified doing so because he said there were not enough projects included that would benefit Louisiana.
Cao is also looking for other ways to fit in. He has expressed a desire to join the Congressional Black Caucus, because only former Black Panther Bobby Rush represents a district where blacks make up a higher percentage of voters. Cao mentioned in an interview that he was told he could join, but that he would be excluded from some events due to his party affiliation. He is not yet a member.
Joseph Cao may not be a conservative standout, but he is a Republican who has won over voters who often elude the party. If his election is more than a fluke, he could help the GOP make inroads with urban voters (including urban Catholics), blacks, and people of immigrant background. But Cao's health care vote may prove such outreach can be expensive.
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Aaron| 8.4.09 @ 6:20AM
It sounds to me like its time for Mr. Cao to take a stand. If a man doesn't know where his own views and priorities are what good is he to the people he represents? If he chooses a liberal stance then shame on him for running on a Republian ticket, if he chooses a conservative stance than shame on him for refusing to claim himself as a conservative when asked. No no no, I've changed my mind... shame on the people who voted for this irritating, flip flopping people pleaser who can't make a decision because he wants to protect his own gold plated health care plan.
drudge ette obama| 8.4.09 @ 7:28AM
You know the answer here. Cao will cave. Cao seeks a cozy life. Cao can get cash from MoveOn.org as easily as from Sessions, then he'll be abandoned by both sides. Cao is a Jim Marshall of Georgia - vanilla pudding on white bread. Stop the funding now. Let's lose like patriots if that's what it takes to eventually win.
Ryan| 8.4.09 @ 8:13AM
Talk about a rock and a hard place. At what point does a representative go with his voters' desires - even if they're wrong - over principle?
Crusader| 8.4.09 @ 8:27AM
*Eyeroll*
More so-called "conservatives" hitching their wagon to a RINO because he's made alleged "inroads" with blacks. Whoop-dee-doo. Who cares if he votes for Obamacare, right?
What's the over/under on how many months before he switches to "D?" 6?
Richard| 8.4.09 @ 11:22AM
*UPDATE ON CONGRESSMAN CAO*
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16738
New Orleans, La., Aug 3, 2009 / 02:06 pm (CNA).- Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, (R-New Orleans), the first Vietnamese-American congressman and a Catholic, announced this past weekend that, because of the “stealth mandate” for abortion still present in the Health Care bill, he prefers to “save his soul” rather than vote in favor of it.
**THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN -- how amazing: INTEGRITY in office! **
The article continues:
“I know that voting against the health care bill will probably be the death of my political career,” Cao said, “but I have to live with myself, and I always reflect on the phrase of the New Testament, ‘How does it profit a man's life to gain the world but to lose his soul.’”
MrLouis| 8.4.09 @ 12:41PM
Mr. Cao is a good man. His constituency is largely made up of Dem machine hacks and criminals, although his constituents in Jefferson parish appreciate real representation for the first time since the civil war.
Pingback| 8.4.09 @ 12:56PM
An agonizing decision: vote against health care could end his career - AIP Blog - Am links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Steven Ertelt| 8.4.09 @ 1:13PM
FYI: Congressman: Would Rather Save My Soul Than Back Pro-Abortion Health Care - http://www.lifenews.com/state4322.html
He's voting against the bill because he is pro-life.
Aaron| 8.4.09 @ 1:54PM
He should be voting against the bill for a whole host of reasons and be able to explain why and he is not and which alternative he is backing to his constituents. His down fall wont be because of his saving his soul rhetoric, it will be because he doesn't know how to stand on strong conservative principles.
Bob Marrero| 8.4.09 @ 2:40PM
Cao's election was an utter fluke. Remember that the election was postponed because of Hurricane Gustav. The demographics of the district are such that his re-elections prospects are slim to none. Remember also that Cao is an ex-Jesuit, so he has been heavily schooled in the Jesuit's notions of social justice
Trevor Howard| 8.4.09 @ 2:55PM
I think instead of condemning Mr. Cao we should be thanking him for taking a stand against the healthcare bill. I live in California. I have no sway with my senators because they are so liberal, they are past the left. It is a pleasuure to find someone who will stand up for me and others like me since my own politicians don't do that. Better to have Mr. Cao with a few votes I don't like than a true blue Democrat who is in lockset with Obama. Every victory should be celebrated.
Ryan| 8.4.09 @ 3:31PM
Actually, the abortion position may be an easy sell to just about any part of Louisiana. As leftward as the pols may be in NO at times, the state is rabidly pro-life...
dcd| 8.4.09 @ 4:14PM
If Cao does toe the party line can he still rely on party money even when his cause looks absolutely hopeless or will he be cut loose?
Roy| 8.4.09 @ 5:53PM
What I don't understand is how, if the median income in the district is that low - aren't most of those people covered by Medicaid?
Al Adab| 8.4.09 @ 5:56PM
Now is the time that tries men's souls. Cao should vote against "health care" (a misnomer BTW) and stand for Liberty even at the price of his seat.
Principle before politics, always and we would be a better governed nation.
When men are willing to stand for freedom and our Constitution, then we honor those who before us risked their "Lives, fortunes and sacred honor" to build and preserve this country.
justaclinging| 8.4.09 @ 8:48PM
Cao & his family are the perfect role models for many in his district to emulate. If using opportunity to advance oneself holds any appeal to his constituents, that is. If they have not been really fully habituated to the federal/state handout "reservation".
MikeVermont| 8.5.09 @ 8:20AM
Good point Roy. I think most of his constituents are covered by Medicaid. Cao should be able to make the case that Obama's plan is bad for his district because it diverts existing Medicaid funding to pay for abortions, illegal immigrants, etc.
Cao's bigger problem is political. Does he want to be get credit/blame for bringing on Obama's Waterloo?
mike| 8.5.09 @ 9:16PM
When are the Pubs going to learn? Why not just vote for a LiBrul Dem!
No Way, No how will I ever support a LiBrul, they are destroying this country! If the Pubs want to continue down this path, they'll do it without me! I think there are quite a few more out there just like me!
Will they ever GET IT? What do they think happened in the last election!
"Dumber than a Box of Rocks!"
That's the problem with our politicians today, No principles, None, Nodda, say anything, do anything to get elected!
Sheesh!
Melissa| 8.10.09 @ 4:30PM
I don't think Cao has anything to lose by voting AGAINST the socialist-health-care-debacle-rationing bill. Bill Jefferson's (who was convicted last week) cronies have been trying to recall Cao since the day he won the election. Cao can never please them anyway so he should vote his conscience and do his best for the nation.