Cao Casts Lone GOP Vote for Health Care

Washington Post: Louisiana Republican Surprised Colleagues on Both Sides of the Aisle With Vote for Dems' Health Care Bill

(Washington Post)  This story was written by Perry Bacon Jr..

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When Republican Anh "Joseph" Cao won a stunning victory in a heavily Democratic district in New Orleans last December, the GOP was so thrilled that House Minority Leader John A. Boehner sent a memo to his colleagues headlined "The Future is Cao."

But on health care, Cao had for months considered bucking the party that embraced him, while the White House wooed his vote. And this weekend, as a group of Democrats gained momentum in an effort to limit abortion in the health-care reform bill, Cao, a staunch opponent of abortion, dialed up the White House. He said he might be able to offer his support if the abortion limits were included in the bill.

By Saturday afternoon, President Obama was on the phone trying to close the deal. Cao pressed Obama for more federal funds for his district, still recovering from Hurricane Katrina four years ago.

Cao said Obama didn't make him any guarantees. But the abortion amendment gave Cao, a former Jesuit seminarian, a way to stay true to his beliefs while trying to win a second term in a district that Obama won with 75 percent of the vote.

So on Saturday, Cao, the first Vietnamese American elected to Congress, surprised Democrats and Republicans by becoming the only one of the 177 House Republicans to support the health-care bill.

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"I felt last night's decision was the right decision for my district, even though it was not the popular decision for my party," Cao told CNN on Sunday.

The decision, he said, was a lifeline to the poor and uninsured in his district, rejecting the idea that it had anything to do with reelection hopes. Members of both parties privately said, however, that Cao's prospects are doomed unless a large number of Democrats in his district embrace him.

In a statement released by his office, Cao touted the abortion limits in the health bill, which had been insisted upon by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Cao's office also quoted Gregory M. Aymond, archbishop of New Orleans, who said, "I am grateful to Congressman Cao for his courage and determination to defend life."

Democrats in Washington and New Orleans, noting how Cao has voted with Republicans on other issues, including opposition to the $787 billion economic stimulus package, said his record cannot be erased by his health-care vote. Democratic Party officials view Cao as one of the nation's most vulnerable Republicans .

"He votes along party lines more than for the district," said state Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Democrat who hopes to unseat Cao next year.

Cao is well aware of his potentially short Washington career.

"I know that voting against the health-care bill will probably be the death of my political career," Cao told the Times-Picayune this year. But he added: "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?' ''

Cao, who at age 8 fled Vietnam after the fall of Saigon, first came to Louisiana as a Jesuit seminarian. He eventually left the priesthood and became a lawyer. His political activity increased after Hurricane Katrina, when he ran unsuccessfully for state representative as an independent. He was then recruited by the GOP to run for Congress.

In some ways, his victory was something of a fluke. Hurricane Gustav pushed back the election cycle last year, resulting in an early December contest that pitted Cao against Rep. William J. Jefferson, a nine-term incumbent who won reelection in 2006 despite widespread publicity about the FBI finding $90,000 in his freezer in 2005. With turnout much lower than in the presidential race a month earlier, Cao won in an upset.

Boehner (Ohio) immediately argued that Republicans would win if they cast themselves as reformers, as Cao had. But the lawmaker had little connection to the GOP establishment, which did little to help him win.

Cao arrived in Congress focused on getting more money for hospitals and other things in his district. While he generally has voted with the GOP, Cao, 42, has occasionally bucked his party, such as his backing of a Democratic-pushed resolution to condemn Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) for shouting "You lie" during Obama's speech on health care in September.

Nancy-Ann Deparle, director of the White House Office for Health Reform, spoke repeatedly to Cao over the last several months about backing the reform effort, but abortion remained a sticking point.

On the eve of Saturday's health-care vote, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) predicted that every member of his party would oppose it. But as the effort to limit abortion, organized by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), gained momentum, Cao became more likely to vote for the bill. In discussions with the administration, Cao said he had received a "commitment from President Obama that he and I will work together to address the critical health-care issues of Louisiana."

Cantor spent Saturday imploring Cao to vote no. Cantor's last chance was during the 15 minutes lawmakers were given to vote Saturday night.

The GOP's No. 2 leader sat down beside Cao on the Republican side of the chamber. As the two chatted, they kept looking upward at the tally of members and their votes displayed on the wall high above where the representatives sit.

Although neither man nor their staff members have said what the two discussed, it became clear that Cao would not vote until after the Democrats had reached the required 218 to pass the bill. But once they did and began cheering, Cao became one of the last five to cast his vote.

Cantor stood and walked away, while Rep. Michael M. Honda (D-Calif.) crossed the aisle to shake Cao's hand.

John Murray, a spokesman for Cantor, played down any tension, saying Cao has a "tough district."

Said Cao: "With the leadership, they respect my decision, and I respect theirs. At the end of the day, I had to make a decision of conscience based on the needs of the people in my district."

[proudmilvet]

How soon before Rush Limbaugh starts making Asian Jokes & Slurs?

[Gunch1967]

Cao is telling the world that his constituents are a bunch of moochers who will not re-elect him unless he keeps them sucking on the teat of the productive people of the country.

I wonder what he and they will do when the no-load trough runs dry.

[dyetter]

"Cao Casts Lone GOP Vote for Health Care"??! I gather in Newspeak the phrase "health care" has the same denotation as the English phrase "massive goverment-run health insurance program", since that seems to be how CBS and all the other Ministry of Truth front organizations (a.k.a. "real news outlets") are using it.

Might we have our news in English again? I realize the headline "Cao Casts Lone GOP Vote for Government-Run Health Insurance" is longer, but that's what it was about. No one, except devotees of faith-healing, is against what English speaking people mean by the phrase "health care" (save in some special instances vis-a-vis themselves or a loved one afflicted with a terminal illness.)

[KCNY]

Cao voted for constituency against party? What a novel idea! Half of these Republicans are from districts so poor that they have to choose between the mortgage and health insurance premiums, and yet they vote with the health care lobby against the people who voted for them. Cao must not be lobby bought and sold like Lieberman(CT). Hartford is the health insurance capital of the world and that's all the matters to him. Good for you, Cao. I'm an independent and appreciate the sentiment.

I'm an independent and a woman, and I must admit that I am not disappointed by the fact that government will not be subsidizing abortions. Personal choice and personal responsibility go hand in hand. I don't think this particular issue should be the decisive factor in whether the Senate should pass it or the WH sign it. Sorry, libs, but it will be hard to convince the majority of the country that this is a step back for women (health insurance never covered abortions) or that it's absolutely necessary. Perhaps when the liberals and progressives can make a compelling argument for this and convince the country to vote accordingly, maybe my mind will change. But right now, I think all the whining I'm hearing about this is the result of sheer laziness and entitlement. The country owes you nothing. Get an abortion on your own dime.

[lightningF]

The health care lobby has given more to the ones who voted for the bill than against it,And what would you expect from someone elected by people who live below sea level?Maybe a turtle who keeps poking his head out to check the weather?

[RandomUser1886]

Over 15% of Democrat Representatives voted against Obamacare.
1 RINO voted for it.
That's the real story here.

[RandomUser1886]

Why no story on the 30-some Democrats who voted against the bill?
Aren't they mavericks too?

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

A True Maverick!

[njapan]

I am sure proud of Mr. Cao he stood up for his beliefs and was the only republican that wasn't afraid. The republicans have been in office for over 8 years and never pursued health care reform. I am worried about medicare cuts, and abortion rights but I am more afraid of doing nothing. I don't like the idea of illegals having any say or part of our american health system since they are in my mind illegal aliens and not legal immigrants. We might want to remind folks that at an "Alien" by definition and as writtin in the dictionary regarding unlawful entry into another country states " An alien who is present in a country (which is foreign to him/her) unlawfully or without the country's authorization may be called an illegal alien of that country". I am a democrat and I love my country and my people all of them and I do not want this health care bills public option to include availability to illegal aliens at all.

[boatdocster]

Perhaps he is not a mindless follower of the Southern White Men only club - he actually votes FOR HIS DISTRICT as they have requested him to do.

I know that's a novel concept in the GOP - government for the people, not for the party!!!

Kudo's to Cao for doing the right thing.

[element51]

It's nice to know that there is at least one republican who has a pair. This guy had to know that by voting in favor of the bill his political future is indeed bleak. And why is it that he will be labeled a traitor when Lieberman is not? Well, thanks Mr. Cho for having the courage to go against the party and vote for the people.

[savethecountry]

Well, at least he understands that he will be a one termer for selling everyone out. Good Bye!

This guy is just like the lying SOB up in NY23 who said I would not vote for a bill with a public option, and when he had a chance to hold to his word...what a surpise, he lied!!!!!

These people all need to find new employment. Hopefully next November they can be shown the door. Hopefully by then it will not be too late.

[coralights]

At least Cao won't have to worry about being endorsed by FOX, Limburger, failin palin, ravin rove & company. Here's some interesting demographics on the NY district that just elected a democrat - which shows that there are more smart white people (probably a lot of women!) than bigots - who vote their conscience! Cao is a true American - although there's a lot of fringeNUTS who will claim he's an illegal alien!!! ;-)

""The 23rd [district] is far whiter than America as a whole ? 93 percent versus 74 ? with tiny sprinklings of blacks, Hispanics and Asians. It has few immigrants. It?s rural. Its income and education levels are below the norm. Only if the district were situated in Dixie ? or Utah ? could it be a more perfect fit for the narrow American demographic where the McCain-Palin ticket had its sole romps last year.""

[bc-1948]

To bad that he is the only one not corrupted by the huge $ spent by the health care lobby to defeat the bill. Money that is coming out of the excessive premiums paid by working people.

And the Republicans could only come up with their "alternative bill" on Tuesday? Where have they been for the last 10 decades???