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The Spectacle Blog
UPDATED
Possibly the biggest political loser last night was Joseph Cao. The pro-life congressman had been the only Republican “yes”vote for the Healthcare bill in November, but voted against this bill that did not contain the Stupak Amendment. “For me abortion is such a moral evil, at a par with slavery, that I cannot in good conscience support a bill that seeks to expand it,” Cao told The New Orleans Times-Picauyne. See Quin’s post for more on Cao’s reasoning.
Now the Republican who represents one of the most liberal districts in the country, New Orleans, has to explain his “no” vote to constituents. According to Washington Post, 24 percent of the district is uninsured. Voters may appreciate that he stood on principle, but National Journal reports that his opponent is already attacking him as being swayed by Republican fundraising. Cook rates the District as D+25, Cao won a special election in 2008 against William Jefferson, who was recently convicted on eleven corruption charges.
Update 5:55: Responding to Quin’s second post, I would clarify that I was only discussing Cao’s re-election chances this fall. Regarding his career beyond 2010, Cao himself has equated a “no” vote on healthcare to the end of his political career. Cao may have been unfairly pessimistic and may have a political future beyond representing District 2 — Quin makes the point that in the longrun strong principles are attractive politically — but in the more immediate future he is running for re-election as a Congressman in New Orleans. I’ve yet to see anyone make the case that Cao helped his re-election chances yesterday, but perhaps this vote could propel some fundraising that was lacking since his first healthcare vote in the fall.
View all comments (22) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Brian O'Connell
http://spectator.org/blog/2010/03/22/cao-abortion-on-par-with-slave
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Tim| 3.22.10 @ 1:49PM
"The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money. "
Alexis de Tocqueville
Cal Mark| 3.22.10 @ 2:05PM
Cao stood on principle and it will probably cost him his seat.
Stupak sold out.
And that, in a nutshell, is a pretty good generalization of the difference between the parties.
Liberal Reader| 3.22.10 @ 2:19PM
Right. Because we all know Republicans always stand on principle, and Democrats always sell out. Brilliant analysis Cal.
(But ... maybe you should rethink your definition of a "good generalization.")
Cal Mark| 3.22.10 @ 3:28PM
Democrat priniciples include destruction of free enterprise, legalized government theft of wealth, and Stalinesque expansion of government into people's lives.
So you have a point. Democrats DO stand on principle. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that Democrats stand on their principles (see above) than D.C. Republicans stand on theirs (free markets, small government, etc.).
I'll even go so far as to admit my generalization is of limited value for liberals: in the context I implied, "principles" correspond to "morality."
Patriot| 3.22.10 @ 3:59PM
Good reply, Cal--so good the Liberal moron has no response.
ds80| 3.23.10 @ 7:52AM
Cal was very specific: he mentioned Cao and Stupak.
LR, *you* were the one who generalized.
You are so transparent.
code| 3.22.10 @ 2:20PM
Cao's funds dried up after he voted yes in November 09 for the House healthcare bill.
He also wavered on voting no this time but word is Stupak told him his vote is not needed for bill to pass.
Patriot| 3.22.10 @ 4:01PM
That's a RINO for you: Democrat-lite.
MarkJ| 3.22.10 @ 3:54PM
"Right. Because we all know Republicans always stand on principle, and Democrats always sell out. Brilliant analysis Cal. "
Liberal Reader,
The problem for you is that we all now know the definition of a "principled Democrat": namely, a Democrat who's price simply hasn't been met yet.
In Bart Stupak's case, he sold his vote, and alleged principles, for a worthless piece of paper and $726k in federal airport grants. Obama probably couldn't believe Black Bart was such a cheap date. Jeez, if Stupak was going to sell out, he should have at least put on a Neville Chamberlain act and waved his worthless EO for the cameras in front of an airplane while muttering "Peace for our time...."
Oldefarte| 3.22.10 @ 4:54PM
The federal government and Democrats should construct an abortion clinic on every stree corner in Cao's district--------and then REPEAL THIS EXCREMENT WELFARE-CARE LEGISLATION!!!!
ibi| 4.26.10 @ 12:47PM
I'm afraid of all the crap that is hidden in this catastrophe that we will all learn about the hard way. I'm afraid that my country just committed suicide. internet fax
luna33| 6.30.10 @ 12:39PM
This was just a way for Stupak to save face while caving in. Private Number Plates
Jack Jelvin | 7.30.10 @ 9:46AM
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