The president dialed the freshman congressman from Louisiana around noon on Saturday, hours before a vote on an amendment offered by anti-abortion Democrats that banned most abortion coverage from the public option and other insurance providers in the insurance “exchange” the legislation would create. That measure passed later in the evening.
Cao said he explained to the president he could not support the health care bill without the amendment, but said he would support the bill if the abortion measure passed. It was a sentiment he also expressed to House GOP leadership ahead of the vote, he said…
By supporting the bill, Cao has opened himself up to criticism from other members of his party, but the Republican said his vote was the right decision for his constituents and “the right decision based on my conscience.”
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Another reason why the abortion admt would have been good to vote “present?”
deidre on November 8, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Yes and he will see that the voters will be voting their conscience too.
spypeach on November 8, 2009 at 1:56 PM
As will the American voter.
Hawkins1701 on November 8, 2009 at 1:56 PM
There goes all that good will he got from this site.
He`s now RINO…..Take him out on the dingy and call him Fredo.
ThePrez on November 8, 2009 at 1:56 PM
An amendment that banned “most abortion coverage from the public option”??
Most? What abortion coverage was protected?
PBoilermaker on November 8, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Nothing like voting to save your JOB!
upinak on November 8, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Rape, incest, life of the mother.
IrishEi on November 8, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Cao, who hails from one of the most Democratic districts in the country, also asked the president for assurances that the administration would do more to help with ongoing disaster relief efforts in his New Orleans district, specifically by forgiving millions in disaster loans to the region.
Not above bribes are we Mr.Cao.
fourdeucer on November 8, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Hey hotair
LAY OFF CAO
he has to do something to try to get reelectrd
the bill passed with 220 NOT 218
it woulda passed anyway
he voted NO on the STIMULUS
I don’t blame him one bit. If he wants to be reelcted why not vote the D way — AFTER IT PASSED
you all act like he was the deciding vote!?!!!
battleoflepanto1571 on November 8, 2009 at 1:57 PM
First Dede, now Joe.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 8, 2009 at 1:58 PM
And in six month, Joe, Obama will throw you under the bus.
Those Dems who shook your hand last night? They’ll be picking a guy to run against you to get this seat beak in the Dem column. I bet Obama even tapes commercials for your challenger.
Obama said he’d “work with” you to help solve the problems in your district? He can easily work with a Dem, too. You’re expendable.
Sucker.
Wethal on November 8, 2009 at 1:58 PM
He’s a Republican representing a bunch of voters that want wealth redistribution. He could either a) stand on principle or b) keep his job.
The guy’s a politician. Of course he wants another term.
But somebody give me a call when he actually votes against nation-destroying legislation for once.
fiatboomer on November 8, 2009 at 1:58 PM
We know he wasn’t the deciding vote. He was THE ONLY REPUBLICAN vote. It makes a difference. The libs are now calling it bipartisan.
IrishEi on November 8, 2009 at 1:59 PM
I wish these politicians would have the conscience to discuss their conscience when campaigning instead of lying to the voters.
JohnJ on November 8, 2009 at 1:59 PM
So he basically sold his vote for disaster loan relief.
JetBoy on November 8, 2009 at 2:00 PM
It’s obvious that what passes for a “conscience” among political hacks like Cao differs largely from that possessed by the majority of human beings.
Joe, you just got a wedgie from Osama Obama. Hope you enjoy it as you slide back into well-deserved obscurity.
And, BTW, I still say that someone needs to check on what’s chillin’ in Cao’s refrigerator.
MrScribbler on November 8, 2009 at 2:00 PM
If by “conscience” he means being bribed by Obama, then yes.
Enoxo on November 8, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Joe wants to “keep his job”?
He has to explain to the voters next year why he can do it better than a Dem. A few years’ seniority? So what, when Obama does commercials saying how much he wants to work with Mr. Dem, the opponent.
There is no “bipartisanship” in an election year, except for idiots like McCain and Graham.
All of Barack Obama’s statements come with expiration dates, Joe. All of them.
And Obama’s promise to you expires in early 2010.
Wethal on November 8, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Thanks Joe for doing your part in the Democrats’ Heath Care Tet Offensive.
Terry_Dyne on November 8, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Thatt was the point. And the MSM will pick it up, too.
Wethal on November 8, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Wow. I’m disappointed too, but was that really necessary?
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:05 PM
The NRCC better not give this a$$clown one cent for his campaign.
farright on November 8, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Going after Cao is extremely extremely counter productive…
so please, STFU and don’t have a Cao…
ninjapirate on November 8, 2009 at 2:06 PM
I wonder if this obamanation would have passed if the abortion amendment had failed?
marmaran on November 8, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Joe
CaoScozzafava is not a Republican or a Rino, he is a Scozzafava.Joe Scozzafava did what all Scozzafava’s do. He is right at home with the likes of Mark
KirkScozzafava, LindseyGrahamScozzafava, JohnMcCainScozzafava, MichaelSteeleScozzafava and so on.Blarg the Destroyer on November 8, 2009 at 2:08 PM
He is just in the wrong party.
jhffmn on November 8, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Bipartisan bill!!
Caper29 on November 8, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Summed up in one sentence. Sad but totally avoidable. All he had to do was vote no and then demand that the RNC give him the materials to educate his constituents about the truth of ‘reform.’
Oh wait, we can’t trust the RNC to do the right thing any more than we can trust the dems.
I hope he likes the private sector.
platypus on November 8, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Better a crook like Cold Cash Jefferson than a pathetic milksop with no guts or spine like Joe Cow. At least with Jefferson we know who and what we’re getting.
Percy_Peabody on November 8, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Terry_Dyne on November 8, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Why can’t he just admit that he represents a lot of Democrats and that, as such, he had to vote for it to try and keep his job. That conscience crap is an insult to everyone’s intelligence.
Hope he remembers his deal with Obama as the One cuts commercials for his opponent next fall.
changer1701 on November 8, 2009 at 2:13 PM
The Pro-life Pro-government health care types don’t get it. In the end the two ideas cannot mix. The dems will make sure of that.
CWforFreedom on November 8, 2009 at 2:13 PM
I suppose we can’t go after Grahmnasty, McCain, Snowe, Collins either huh? We need to start going after these guys in our own party. I mean blue dogs are one thing, stating they are conservative and voting liberals; but being in the “conservative party,” stating you are “conservative,” and then voting with the liberals is what RINOs do best!
deidre on November 8, 2009 at 2:13 PM
How sad is it that the President of the United States is willing to work to solve the problems of some region – only if their representative votes the correct way. Isn’t Obama supposed to care about all citizens – even if they have a Republican representing them?
katiejane on November 8, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Dude… Dude… Dude… just STFU….
ninjapirate on November 8, 2009 at 2:16 PM
I hope Joe Cao goes and gets his name legally changed. He should change it to Cao Cao. He will instantly become at least ten times as awesome, and we can put this whole ordeal behind us.
It’d be the start of a new Republican politics people!
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Mr. Cao is a devout Roman Catholic and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops supports “Obamacare” with the abortion amendment.
The Democrats won because they are the party of good and represent hope; the GOP lost because they are the party of evil and represent hatred and bigotry.
Nancy Pelosi was right about Tuesday night. From her perspective, she and the House Dems won.
Norman Blizter on November 8, 2009 at 2:17 PM
I see that the Party of No is eating its own. Well done. Keep up the good work. NY-23 4 eva!
simplesimon on November 8, 2009 at 2:17 PM
GFY, Norman.
Percy_Peabody on November 8, 2009 at 2:18 PM
1. We’re the party of the opposition. It’s what we do.
2. We’ve ate our own before we were out of power. Remember Lincoln Chafee?
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:18 PM
There is never any reason to vote for a total un-Constitutional extension of the federal government. Period. Cao needs to be tossed out of the GOP caucus and have a primary opponent get his despicable butt out of office. He is a traitor and a Constitutional rapist. I’d be happy to see him shipped out and sent back to live the rest of his years out in Viet Nam. He doesn’t belong here.
He’s a traitor to the Constitution and has no business in the government. He is a slug.
progressoverpeace on November 8, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Uh… NO?
Cao just voted for an Unconstitutional HUGE Government takeover of 1/6th of our economy.
He sided with the Socialists… so why should he get a pass?
Romeo13 on November 8, 2009 at 2:22 PM
I call B.S. on this. If this was a conscience vote, why did he wait till after the bill’s passage was certain before casting his own?
Left Coast Right Mind on November 8, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Because Joe Cao fled Vietnam with his mother after the end of the war. And his father was captured by the Vietcong for 7 years.
It’s a little.. shall we say… over the top?
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:23 PM
M
Oh, really? So it’s better to have a corrupt guy stashing away millions in his freezer than a honest republican who won a seat republicans never had a chance in hell of winning; voted against the stimulus bill; voted for the republican health plan; and voted for the dems only after the bill had passed.
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 2:23 PM
If they were so evit and hated so much, why do conservatives give more money to charities than liberals?
deidre on November 8, 2009 at 2:24 PM
10.2% , well see who’s eating what.
the_nile on November 8, 2009 at 2:24 PM
PM
He is American citizen, you racist pighead. He has as much a right to be here as you or anyone else.
Don’t like it? Migrate!
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 2:25 PM
ah… so its OK to be a Traitor to the US Constitution, if you have a SOB story?
Is this McCain and McCain Feingold all over again? Because of his “story” its OK to break your oath to defend and protect the Constitution of the US?
Romeo13 on November 8, 2009 at 2:25 PM
American Citizens can’t be Traitors???? Gee… who’da thunk it…
Romeo13 on November 8, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Joe Cow sold out no matter how you look at it. That makes him a dishonest crook. Every bit as dishonest in my book as Cold Cash Jefferson. At least Jefferson didn’t make any bones about who and what he was. Better the up front crook like Jefferson who will smack you in the face instead of the mealy mouth like Joe Cow who will stab you in the back when you’re not looking.
Percy_Peabody on November 8, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Or you could, you know STFD and STFU… I mean if it’s good enough advice for you to give others it ought to be good enough advice for you to follow…
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 2:27 PM
No. I’m not defending his vote. But if you look up above, I think saying that he supported the “democrat health care TET OFFENSIVE” is over the top and very offensive.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:27 PM
PM
Yeah, sure. Go after everyone and make sure Dems control all the 100 seats. Then come here and cry: secede!
Because of asses like you, this country has come to this.
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 2:27 PM
That’s why I said that I would be happy to see it, not that he should be shipped out. Have problems with reading comprehension?
Pretty soon, there might not be a better alternative. We are infested with leftists who are determined to make the US a hell-hole.
Nice of you to defend votes for unbelievably un-Constitutional expansions of the federal government. You’re not much of a fan of our Constitution, either, I see. No wonder you’re defending the Cao slug.
progressoverpeace on November 8, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Since the GOP got played by Pelosi, we’ll never know. Unbelievable they didn’t vote present. Un-freakin’-believable.
SouthernGent on November 8, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Its interesting to me… that the only ones bringing up his past story… which I DID NOT KNOW… are those who defend him…
The only ones bringing up his RACE… which I DID NOT KNOW… are his defenders…
I happen to judge by ACTIONS, not words, RACE, or Sob stories…
Romeo13 on November 8, 2009 at 2:29 PM
P
Sure, they can be. By that yardstick, Pelosi and all are all traitors too. So which countries their ancestors came from and where are you planning to send them back? Never heard that for any of the dems here–the need to be shipped. Or for the criminals and mass murderers. Or you pick on Cao because he is not White male and its okay for him to be shipped?
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Oh.. I see it so clearly now… that gives him a right to destroy our Constitution… Thank you for clearing that up for me…
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 2:31 PM
If politicians want to act on their conscience, they should make their conscience known when they’re running for election.
JohnJ on November 8, 2009 at 2:31 PM
I think you should only judge him by his actions. If you want to think he’s a traitor to the constitution go ahead, I won’t stop you.
I don’t take issue with that, and I’m not defending him. But I do think saying he should leave the country, and saying that he supported a sort of Tet Offensive is over the line.
And while I don’t know the personal sob stories of said people, I do care for their actions, and I find those actions despicable, racist, and bigoted. And I would have hoped that the Republican party had moved past this. But because one man makes a real bad decision, suddenly it’s ok to attack his ethnicity.
There are constructive ways to go about this. Making Hot Air look like a cesspool isn’t one of them.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Hmmmm… musta missed the part where we were going to expell him from the country… or are you projecting?
Romeo13 on November 8, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Show me where I DEFEND JOE CAO. Because I don’t. I think he did the wrong thing.
What I am against is some of the rhetoric in this thread.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:32 PM
It is a very apt analogy. Cao, coming from Viet Nam, has more reason than most to understand what the importance of limited government is. He doesn’t. He supported an unleashed federal behemoth that will destroy everything it touches and restrict the great individual liberties that this nation was founded on. It is one thing for a brain-dad liberal moron to vote for this. Their white guilt drives them to all sorts of insanity, but to get this cr@p from someone who was chased out of a coutry because of a truly feral government, he has less than no excuse. Cao is despicable.
progressoverpeace on November 8, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Oh, I’m glad that this country is messed up because of “asses like me” rather than the individuals that actually vote for a liberal agenda. They aren’t to blame whatsoever!!
deidre on November 8, 2009 at 2:32 PM
No, this country has come to this because people made compromises with progressive/liberal/socialists/Marxists…
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 2:32 PM
The P.C. police are out in force this morning, I see. Warning: Cao is not white, so go that extra mile to make sure nothing you say can be construed as racism.
JohnJ on November 8, 2009 at 2:33 PM
It seems you have reading problems. I am saying it makes no freaking difference. The bill already had passed. He had voted for the republican plan before that. If we had enough guys in the House, that would have passed.
So all the bile directed at an inconsequential vote in a district republicans can never win again-probably–should be directed at democrats. And how we throw them out in 2010.
Cao is not our problem. Our problem is that dems have a huge majority in the House and Senate. Unless we can redress that, nothing will change.
Look at dems: Pelosi gave Blue Dogs a break so they can win the next elections. She did not say, hey, you might lose the next elections, why should I care? She understands what numbers mean.
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Yes, because the Democrats totally took advantage of a holy festival to kill people. And the Democrats can totally be equated with the vietcong.
Ask John McCain about that one. It’s a very offensive suggestion.
I believe that’s why he’s Republican.
I don’t know what to say other than, Britain has not yet tortured POW’s. And they have not yet fought a brutal guerilla war for Revolution.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Traitors aren’t deported, they are executed.
Blarg the Destroyer on November 8, 2009 at 2:36 PM
There is no such thing as over the top rhetoric when the discussion is one of the actions taken by an elected official to violate the US Constitution.
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 2:36 PM
I would like to know more about his “Conscience”. Is it tainted with the Stockholm Syndrome? Or is he a Manchurian candidate like Obama? Oops, is “Manchurian” off limits, too?
TwilightStruggler on November 8, 2009 at 2:37 PM
I am extremely upset that he voted “AYE”; however, we don’t know what his constituents wanted. If he was getting phone calls in favor of this bill, he had to vote the way his district wanted.
I know I’m in the minority on this, and, god help me, puts me on the side of the trolls.
SouthernGent on November 8, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Yes there is, when it only serves to make us look like bigots. Why should anyone pay attention to us if they can come to our threads and see us talking about health care tet offensives and migration?
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:38 PM
+1000
Stopping the socialists will not involve attacking their opposition, however imperfect that opposition is.
JohnJ on November 8, 2009 at 2:38 PM
They are, without a doubt.
Venezuela would be a good place to send them to. Others can be shipped to the Cuban paradise they claim to love so much. But, I really don’t care where they go, so long as it is out of the US. They will be the death of this nation. Do you understand what that means?
Usually treason is punished with something other than being shipped out, but sending these marxist scum to marxist countries is always a decent idea.
Please. Stop with your white guilt bullsh!t, already. It’s pathetic.
progressoverpeace on November 8, 2009 at 2:38 PM
PM
So what about the 220 mostly White guys who voted for this? When are we discussing their deportation?
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Dude. Don’t assume. I am not White. So there. No, in case, you wonder: I am not Vietnamese either.
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 2:39 PM
I’m taking up donations to send Cao his 20 pieces of silver. Anyone want to chip in?
fusionaddict on November 8, 2009 at 2:41 PM
It’s a shame. The first Vietnamese to ever serve in congress and another RINO we will have to vote out of office in 2010.
mizflame98 on November 8, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Why are we spending more time arguing about one Republican House member who probably had to vote that way in order to keep his job than discussing how to stop Democrats from nationalizing our health care system?
JohnJ on November 8, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Worry more about the 250 or so Democrats in the House, and the 59 Democrats in the Senate, and the Democrat in the White House. That’s where our problems are coming from.
JohnJ on November 8, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Yup, and they have been so brainwashed that they don’t even understand what they are doing. The pretext of civil discussion is nauseating. In the entire history of the United States, politics has never ever been a polite civil discussion, for gods sake, Vice President Arron Burr publicly accused Alexander Hamilton of adultery which provoked Alexander Hamilton into challenging Arron Burr to a pistol duel which resulted in Alexander Hamilton’s death.
It is a Marxist form of political manipulation to deceive Americans into believing that if your political discourse is not civil and polite you have no right to engage in political discourse.
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 2:44 PM
True, you’re right. Stay the course. A commie is still a commie no matter what color of their skin.
TwilightStruggler on November 8, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Cao disgusts me.
Regardless of how he voted on this bill, he was going to be a one-term congressmen. The district he represents is one of the most liberal in the country (D+25 rating by Charlie Cook)
He won this seat because the Democrat that held this seat was heading to jail. Yet, he barely squeaked by in a special election with low turnout. He will be gone in 2010.
So he had a chance to do the right thing. Instead, he pandered for a useless objective (to win relelection, which he won’t) and gave Pelosi the pathetic cover of “bipartisanship”.
When he is gone in 2010, good riddance.
Norwegian on November 8, 2009 at 2:46 PM
The Dems are far more dangerous to the US than the Viet Cong were. If you don’t see that then you are living in la-la land.
I don’t give a sh!t what McShame thinks. McCain’s view of the value of US citizenship was on full display during the treasonous shamnesty. His view of the Constitution was on display for McCain-Feingold. His understanding of the threat that the Indonesian imbecile posed to this nation was on display when he told America that we had nothing to worry about with that moron in office.
McShame is a total retard who has done more damage in politics than anyone other than the Dems. And McShame’s shamnesty drive was what destroyed the right and brought us to this point where the US is about to go under.
LOL. Republicans like that are worse than Democrats. Cao is slime.
Huh?
progressoverpeace on November 8, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Deport them back to where they were born is fine with me.
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Watch carefully to see if Cao gets any REAL competition for his seat next year from Democrats.
I believe the White House cut him a deal to not put up any serious opposition to him in exchange for his vote.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 2:47 PM
You’re arguing white-guilt. I don’t care what you are.
progressoverpeace on November 8, 2009 at 2:47 PM
MARXIST!? Are you saying that if we don’t say Joe Cao supported a Democratic Tet Offensive that the commies will win?
Do you think I’m a red?
Can you think straight? Are you sure I haven’t been transported to Wonderland? Are the laws of logic and reasoning gone? Where have they gone to?
I don’t know where I say that if civil discourse isn’t polite it shouldn’t be engaged in. Obviously political discourse has always been rough around the edges, and like should receive like. My point is limited to saying that acting like many are acting in this thread is totally ineffective.
If you like Nationalized Health Care, by all means, talk about deporting Cao. If you like what this nation stands for, STFU.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Ahhh… so you only believe in freedom of Speech, if its speech approved by yourself…
Otherwise STFU?
How…. nuanced…
Romeo13 on November 8, 2009 at 2:50 PM
I despise Cao’s vote as much as anyone but the ethnic Vietnamese remarks are pathetic. Attack the idea not the person, it is more effective in the long run for all parties.
And civil discourse existed long before Marxism.
reginaldL on November 8, 2009 at 2:51 PM
In a way, yes. But when they start killing American citizens in the streets, let’s start talking. You know who else thought the democrats were like the vietcong?
…
…
Hitler.
Well, that had nothing to do with my point, but, ok.
Britain has nationalized health care, in case you didn’t know. I’m saying that Nationalized Health Care does not lead to the Vietnam War. I think… that’s pretty clear.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:51 PM
He’s saying that political correctness is linguistic marxism, which it is. Most are unaware of that, but it the truth of the matter.
progressoverpeace on November 8, 2009 at 2:52 PM
You know you really are a pighead. I can’t find anyone in this thread who argued that Cao wasn’t an American Citizen or should be deported.
Fact is … I think Cao betrayed the Conservative cause last night and I think he cut a deal for his seat with the White House.
However …
Joe Cao’s father was a South Vietnamese Army Officer and I’ll forever respect the sacrifices his Dad and his family made while fighting alongside Americans in the Vietnam war.
He belongs in America. And incidentally – can anyone tell me why Vietnamese, who actually lived through hardships and came here – are now some of the most successful people in Louisiana while the peeps in the ninth ward of New Orleans are still crying about a “slave” experience they never suffered?
Joe Cao is wrong for his vote – but his family are heros in my opinion.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Joseph Cao had to choose between war and dishonor. He chose dishonor. He will have war.
Jim Treacher on November 8, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Uh, New Orleans was going to be taken care of anyway since it’s the home headquarters of ACORN & SEIU. The reassurance is just a lame excuse for why he voted for this 1.3 trillion dollar albatross.
mizflame98 on November 8, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Oh well and I thought you liberal whack jobs said things were not black and white….You’re an idiot.
CWforFreedom on November 8, 2009 at 2:54 PM
I agree with this.
deidre on November 8, 2009 at 2:54 PM
How about some of these guys saying we will try to vote out Pelosi next time? How about club for growth spending a million dollars in that election? How about sending volunteers there?
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 2:54 PM
No, that’s not what I said at all. In fact, I believe I said that I was not questioning anyone’s RIGHT to speech, I’m questioning the EFFECTIVENESS of the speech.
We didn’t get Ronald Reagan by calling Carter a red, or by pining for the deportation of nationalized citizens. We did it by having a plan, sticking to it, and promising a brighter future.
There’s a reason you don’t hear about the John Birch Society anymore.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:54 PM
What I think, is that you are an obvious victim of public
educationindoctrination into socialism/Marxism and you dont even know it. I think you are so damned PC that you neither understand what the TET offensive was or why this healthcare vote is so analogous. Most importantly, I think that those who tell others to STFU should take their own advice and quit giving that advice to others.doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 2:54 PM
/stands up and applauds…
Romeo13 on November 8, 2009 at 2:55 PM
This has nothing to do with ethnicity. ANyone who is chased out of a coutry because of a runaway government, to come to the US and vote for a runaway government gets the exact same sort of response. But, the fact is that most people who came from behind the Iron Curtain have a great love for the concept of limited government because they have lived with the alternative. But if such a person voted for unrestricted government control, then they would get the same rhetoric and be told to go back to the countries they escaped from. There is nothing ethnic about this. It’s political and common sensical.
progressoverpeace on November 8, 2009 at 2:55 PM
The Vietnames lived tough lives with little safety net thus they had to learn to do it on their own.
CWforFreedom on November 8, 2009 at 2:56 PM
I know that Stalin coined the term.
However, I am not suggesting political correctness. I’m suggesting sanity.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Hey, this 2 party system is really working out great, isn’t it
Blarg the Destroyer on November 8, 2009 at 2:57 PM
when you go around, and tell an American Citizen, to, and I quote, “STFU”… you are attempting to silence that citizen…
And in this case, you are doing it about political speach.
You did not ONLY argue that this rhetoric might be counterproductive… you told people to be silent.
YOU crossed the line there…
Romeo13 on November 8, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Scroll up: Who started the talk about “how I will be happy to send him back to Vietnam.”
My point is simple: if he was the speaker of the house, if he was the reason why the bill passed in the first place, if he was the one guy by all means hound him out.
But he is not. He is a minor player which the Left is going to play up because they want to divert our attention from the real task: Beating the dems in 2010. That is why Pelosi gave political cover to at least some of Blue Dogs by allowing them to vote against the bill. She is a clever little woman and she must be stopped.
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 2:58 PM
I dont think the word sanity means what you think it means…
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Hmmm … maybe I’m blind but I don’t see any ethnic slurs against Cao in this thread. Point them out to me please.
All I see are liberals complaining about racism they WISH they could see right now.
This is not about Cao’s heritage – I have a lot of respect for the Vietnamese community that Cao comes from – they don’t play “victim” politics like the African American and Hispanic communities are often known to resort to.
As a result, Vietnamese are no longer shrimpers here in the South – they are successful businessmen, politicians, doctors, lawyers, and teachers.
There’s a lesson in that.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Yes, because STFU is not me being rhetorical, it’s a show of force.
And I’d like to repeat, JOE CAO DID THE WRONG THING.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 3:00 PM
And you are wrong, he just handed the progressives a very major psychological victory.
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 3:00 PM
I have … and can’t find it.
If the reference was made it was only one person – why are you attempting to pronounce us all racists.
Why don’t you simply use my defense of Mr. Cao and his heritage and use that to paint HA commentators?
You’re a shill.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 3:01 PM
P
Sigh. What psychological victory? Dems don’t care two hoots about bipartisanship. He is anyways going to lose next time. Why don’t we concentrate on the larger tasks? Beating the progressives!
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Joseph Lieberman supports the Republican Holocaust.
I’m sure with that statement I seemed clear, cognizant, thoughtful, lucid, and won friends and influenced people.
Or maybe I just looked like an ignorant bigot who’s views should be shunned.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 3:03 PM
I didn’t say “slurs” now, did I?
reginaldL on November 8, 2009 at 3:03 PM
You are right, Cao’s family were heroically brave people, Cao on the other hand just betrayed the US constitution, he himself is no heroic figure.
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 3:04 PM
.
And when have I done that? I specifically called out the person. Not everyone here.
Just for the record: No. i don’t think the majority of people on HA are racists. And that is why I hang out here. Because I want dems to lose next time.
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Oy. Read Prairie Fire. Leftist governments without restraint have a long, sordid history of how they develop. Our Founders understood what happens when the whim of the masses gets ultimate control, with a government unrestrained by anything else – it leads to a violent suicide. That is not even just leftists, but Democracy. That is why they wrote a Constitution for us which detailed the limits of the federal government, regardless of the whims of the people.
Go argue with Madison as you seem to consider his Constitutional restrictions for our federal government to be nothing of much value or nothing to worry about losing.
First of all, Britain did not violate its foundational structure in order to do that. You seem to skip over the rape of our Constitution as if it nothing to get worried about. This is a view that I cannot countenance, at all. An unlimited federal government is a threat to our liberties. Period.
Secondly, Britain’s socialized medicine only works because they leech off of the advancements that are funded for our health care system. All of the world’s socialized systems are the same. Without the profit in the US system, medical advancement will come to a screeching halt. You want to count up the dead because of that? You have no idea what happens when the profit of the US health care system is taken away. It will be a vastly different world.
But, hey, neither Britain nor any of other “allies” really pays for defense, either. Why don’t we just copy them with that, too? What could go wrong? It works for Britain. Do you understand the problem with your reasoning?
progressoverpeace on November 8, 2009 at 3:05 PM
The Dems mat not give a rats a$$ about bipartisanship but by god they will use Cao to lie to the American public who does care about it.
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 3:06 PM
I agree with that statement. However – I think this vote will allow Cao to win another term in Congress because I believe he cut a deal with the White House to …
1. Ensure no serious democrat contests him and …
2. Ensure the African American “victim politics” preachers in NOLA stay off his back.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 3:06 PM
I second that.
TwilightStruggler on November 8, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Mr. Cao voted his district. Our fight is now in the Senate.
Cindy Munford on November 8, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Considering his constituency….not really
CWforFreedom on November 8, 2009 at 3:09 PM
The remedy for lies is truth. It’s up to us to let the American public know that opposition to ObamaCare is more bipartisan than support for it is. If that’s what you want people to know, then put your energy there instead of attacking Cao. That doesn’t refute the lie with which you purport to be so concerned.
JohnJ on November 8, 2009 at 3:09 PM
The Left is already playing up Cao!
link
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 3:09 PM
So say that the Dems are like the Jacobins, that makes more sense than comparing them to the VIET FREAKIN’ CONG. Stay on topic.
You’re missing my point. Voting for universal health care is not in any way voting for turning the US into North Vietnam. That’s ridiculous. I’m sure you will agree. But ignore that point as it is and just keep using this fallacious slippery slope argument.
The rest of the developed world has Universal Health Care. The rest of the developed world has not turned into Vietnam. Why might this be?
Amen. One of the many reasons I OPPOSE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 3:10 PM
I said it. I didn’t say I wanted him deported, but that I would be happy to see him shipped back. I explained that it had nothing to do with ethnicity in a later post when I said that the same is said for people who came here from behind the Iron Curtain (when it existed) to vote for the same sort of unrestricted government, here, that they had just run away from. However, that was a pretty rare occurence, as most how managed to get out of the Soviet Union kept a very healthy wariness of unrestricted government power.
progressoverpeace on November 8, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Exactly! And that is what we should concentrate on. Let’s not fall for the trap Left has set for us. They are relying on the Right fighting among it self to win in 2010.
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 3:11 PM
We are taking the wrong tact here.
I think the burden of proof lies on everyone else to show us how republican infighting and overheated rhetoric will somehow lead to a glorious Republican super majority.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Pretty much proves my point now doesnt it…
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 3:13 PM
How in the name of all that is holy can anyone vote for the elimination of freedom as being “right for his constituents and right for his conscience.” This is the kind of thinking that will destroy this nation.
johnsteele on November 8, 2009 at 3:13 PM
OK, where’s platypus and what have you done with him?
Look at that, we agree! Yeah, my first impression was that he sold out…that, and given the heavily Democratic district he represents, saving his own skin there too.
JetBoy on November 8, 2009 at 3:15 PM
First you prove how allowing democrats to pretend that they are Republicans is going to help the Republican party in any way shape or form. Get this through your head, RINO’s are democrats pretending to be Republicans because they cant get elected as Democrats and they know it. So they pretend to be Republicans and do more damage to the Republican party from the inside than the Democrats do from the outside.
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Well … they are putting their eggs in the wrong basket. Because they’ve botched things so badly, any Republican who can fog a mirror will win election next year.
I really don’t think the infighting in the GOP is that bad. Look at NY-23, most GOP are now in agreement that Scozz was the wrong candidate from the beginning. Most GOP are actually stating that Conservatism is on the ascendancy and is the future of the party. RINO’s like Grahamnesty and Frum and Noonan and Parker are marginalized.
We’re doing well.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 3:19 PM
So Joe Cao ran as a Republican in a HEAVILY democratic district because… getting elected as a democrat wouldn’t work? Huh?
Get this through your head, not everyone has the same ideology. One vote does not a RINO make. It is depressing, and I’m not happy about it, but it’s better to have a few moderates to give you control over the House, than to collapse into a shell of ideologues.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 3:20 PM
What private sector?
alexwest on November 8, 2009 at 3:20 PM
\
His votes have been consistently fiscally irresponsible and statist. The man is obviously not a moderate.
alexwest on November 8, 2009 at 3:22 PM
I have been saying that the modern left are the reincarnation of the French Revolutionaries for a long time. As to the difference between them and the Viet Cong, that is a distinction without a substantive difference.
It’s just a description, Get a grip.
There is nothing slippery about making a clear break with Constitutional limits on the federal government. Nothing slippery, at all, And to do that while grabbing hold of 1/6 of the economy, while preaching that the federal government needs to open up a company to “provide competition” to the private sector is just beyond insane. If that doesn’t truly diturb you, I can’t imagine what would.
Because they live off of us. Europe is killing itself, if you hadn’t noticed.
But it shouldn’t be the main reason. The Constitutional limits on the federal government and the fact that health care is a state issue should be the main reason. You know why social issues are delegated to the states, in good part? Because states cannot create money and drive us into monetary ruin by adopting financial black holes for public policy. The federal government, however, has the keys to the Treasury and the money creation, which is why it cannot be entrusted with programs that can drive it into ruin.
Health care, as with almost all issues where the government interacts with individuals, is left to the states. There is no reason to push for it to the federal level, and if someone wants to, then it requires a Constitutional amendment. Without that, we are on the road to a violent death, as Madison, Adams and others said, and as history has shown.
progressoverpeace on November 8, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Ding, Dong!!! Moveon calling.
JeffWeimer on November 8, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Cao: My vote was for sale. I won’t put my severed head on the foot of the bed so instead I will be changing my party affilliation afore the 2010 primaries. My vote represented my conscience of the government taking over 1/6 of the American economy with this health care legislation. My mask has fallen revealing that I too am in favor of BIG GOVERNMENT – and the bigger the better. Just watch me.
Americannodash on November 8, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Cao ran as a conservative and he won because William Jefferson was a crook and the African American community in NOLA was still below Pre-Katrina numbers when the vote took place. There’s going to be a different picture for him next year – he’s a Republican in a rancid Democratic district.
CAO voted AGAINST the porkulous. He was immediately hit upon with a hilarious attempt at a “recall” by African American preacher in NOLA who never supported him in the first place.
Now he’s voted for the PelosiCare – and I think it’s because he cut a deal with the White House to put up no serious opposition to his reelection next year.
At this point – he’s no longer doing the GOP any good. I’d be happy to see that seat roll to the Democrats – at least we’d be spending no more money to re-elect someone who votes with the Democrats on critical issues.
You say a majority is what we need – yet the Democrats have a huge one and can’t get anything done.
That’s because they are too ideologically diverse. The same will happen to a majority GOP with half/half Rinos and Conservatives.
We need a party and a majority that is made of individuals who share the same core values. I’m not talking ideological purity here – but there must be a common set of core values or the next GOP majority will be as impotent as this democratic on is.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Maybe we could look at it this way:
The Democrats had 39 members sufficiently worried about their jobs to vote against this abomination.
The Republicans had….one.
And although he gives the flimsiest excuse for “bipartisanship”, the opposition to the bill was 39 times as “bipartisan”.
JeffWeimer on November 8, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I’ve referred this thread to Michelle and Ed to see what they think, but as of right now, Terry_Dyne and progressoverpeace (and perhaps more to come) are banned. So will anyone else be who thinks the proper response to Joe Cao involves Tet references or “I’d love to see him shipped back to Vietnam” rhetoric.
As for the people who objected to their comments here but failed to e-mail me and Ed about them, I can’t stress this enough: Ed and I don’t follow the comment threads. There simply isn’t time. It’s pure luck that I happened to click this one and saw what was going on. The only way we can deal with problem commenters is if you e-mail us at tips and call our attention to it. Please do so.
Allahpundit on November 8, 2009 at 3:27 PM
If Cao loses to the Democrat in 2010, that Democrat will simply be part of a minority, and the new Speaker will be able to treat that district and its concerns as hostile, just like they are.
Cao wasn’t going to win a second term anyway. He was the anti-”Cold Cash” protest vote.
Sekhmet on November 8, 2009 at 3:27 PM
A reincarnation of the French Revolutionaries? I was under the impression that their lineage started there. But eh. I think there is a very substantive difference between the two. And I think there is an incredibly substantive difference between Democrats and the Vietcong.
I… can’t believe I’m having this discussion.
So a description that in no way speaks of an objective reality? So nonsense. I win!
You misunderstood me again. I don’t know if the problem is that I can’t communicate well or you can’t read well. I’m thinking the later, but I’m open to be proven wrong.
Yeah, they also live off of the third world. Either way, you need to show me a correlation between universal health care and… the vietcong. That’s before we get to causation.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 3:28 PM
So sorry! I’ll remember this in case something similar happens in the future.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Joe Cao ran as a Republican in a HEAVILY democratic district because everyone knew a democrat wasn’t going to get elected in that heavily democratic district. Remember who he was running against? Do you even know Cao’s first run for office was as an independent? Jefferson was under indictment for 16 counts of Cold Hard Cash Fraud. Cao is not and never was a Republican or a conservative.
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 3:29 PM
How are we eating our own? Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, and every Republican I know of endorsed Hoffman in the end.
Get a clue dude.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Tell that to his campaign staff – I still get solicitations from him saying ….
“Joseph Cao – Committed Republican and Conservative”
He runs on a platform of Conservatism and family values.
I live here dude – that’s what I get in the mail every week from him.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Cao will be Spectered by the dems.
csdeven on November 8, 2009 at 3:31 PM
I wasn’t aware of the specifics here, and I think it would be fruitful to see if there are any other changes in his voting record. But I agree with the last part. I think universal health care is a useful litmus test, actually. But I’m not quite sure yet if I’d call someone a RINO just because of it.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 3:31 PM
There are no primaries?
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 3:33 PM
I hope it isnt a surprise to you that politicians lie, Cao just showed which party he supports and it wasnt the Republicans or Conservatives regardless of whatever his staff might be trying to sell you.
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Do you think he would have voted for it if he was the deciding vote?
deidre on November 8, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Well … like I said … Cao voted against the porkulus.
Now … why did he vote for this? It’s an even bigger waste of taxpayer dollars than porkulus was.
And I think … he made a deal with the White House that he’d vote “YES” if they ensured that he saw no serious competition in 2010.
Could I be wrong? Yeah … but his vote doesn’t make sense to me otherwise. He actually DOES refer to himself as a Conservative Republican in his campaign literature. So why did he make a decidedly anti-Conservative vote?
And I just keep concluding it was prolly because he cut a deal with Raum.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 3:36 PM
What part of ran as an independent didn’t you understand?
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I don’t know.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 3:37 PM
No … it’s not a surprise to me. But then again – what advantage is it to him to broadcast that he’s a Conservative Republican when he’s representing a district that is overwhelmingly Democratic?
Then again – I live in Steve Scalise’s district – and burn Democrats at the stake out here. It never will go Democrat out here. So maybe Cao’s campaign staff “massages” their message for various audiences?
It’s a possibility.
HondaV65 on November 8, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Hmm, and what does it mean when you accept the payment of the devil? To quote Jesus Christ, you cannot hold a burning coal to your chest and not get burned…
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Politicians are what they are. The founding fathers of this great Republic warned us to never ever trust any politician. Pretty damned smart men those founding fathers..
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Ok… off to play with my Corvette and some charred formerly alive animals of the mooing variety…
doriangrey on November 8, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Freedom of speech? Why yes! You may be heard, just don’t put in writing.
Americannodash on November 8, 2009 at 3:47 PM
What an ancillary thread this turned out to be.
Americannodash on November 8, 2009 at 3:54 PM
The problem with this country isn’t the politicians; it’s the voters who support what they do. Convince enough people that something is a good idea, and the politicians will follow.
JohnJ on November 8, 2009 at 3:54 PM
http://spectator.org/blog/2009/11/08/defending-cao
Interesting article. Stole it from AP’s Twitter. I hope he puts it up. Here’s a quote.
Agree or disagree, I guess he did what he said he was going to do.
deidre on November 8, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Cao is a RINO. And, it’s RINO hunting season.
BottomLine5 on November 8, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Yeah, Benidict Cao, that vote did you a lot of good. Do you think that the Dems aren’t going to target your seat when you are up for re-election next year? Do you think that this one vote will assure your re-election? You got elected by fluke, the Dems are going to return that seat to its “rightful owners” (the Dems) and you are just going to be another failed politician who sacrificed whatever dignity and moral standing you might have had by standing for and doing right all because you think that this is going to help preserve your seat.
Sure, in the end your vote didn’t put it over the line, but it DID give the dems the ability to crow about the fact that this abomination had bipartisan support because of your cowardly action.
AZfederalist on November 8, 2009 at 4:34 PM
The New York region was one that hadn’t had a Democrat in over 100 years. Cao’s is one that hadn’t had a Republican in over 100 years. Cao being a “RINO” is far, far more forgivable than Scoz.
calbear on November 8, 2009 at 4:39 PM
That’s great, but what is it he was voting for? He doesn’t even know the answer to that. So, I say he is full of de bool-sheet.
yubley on November 8, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Actually, that bit about NY-23 is incorrect. There has been a dem in that seat more recently than 100 years ago (I just can’t put my finger on the link to the exact date).
AZfederalist on November 8, 2009 at 4:57 PM
The part where he couldn’t run against an unpopular and corrupt democratic politician in a democratic primary if he’s secretly a democrat.
Keljeck on November 8, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Kick his ass over the aisle. When I find who is running against Nancy girl Cao, I’ll send money to her opponent.
Wade on November 8, 2009 at 5:27 PM
In our political war, Democrats take every inch they can get and as a result they end up with filibuster proof majorities in congress and the White House.
Conservatives insist on ideological purity, even from Republicans in districts that never vote Republican, and as a result they end up with filibuster proof DEMOCRAT majorities and a Marxist in the White House.
Cao’s district has been run by Democrats for 40 years! Everyone in his district is a ward of the state, and if he voted against it, he would be replaced by a Democrat willing to deliver the handouts that district demands.
THIS is kind of district where “moderate” and even liberal Republicans belong. And a district that simply wont accept a conservative.
Would it be better to hand the district back to a William Jefferson? Or should we take every inch we can get?
American Elephant on November 8, 2009 at 5:31 PM
PM
That is the question “true conservatives” need to answer. But some of them think Cao actually won because of their money!
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Let me get this strait.
Cao says he voted for a socialist America because his conscience told him that making America socialist, like the country his parents had him leave because of it’s socialism, was good?
Yet ANOTHER COMPLETE FAILURE of the US educational system.
This fellow does NOT EVEN KNOW WHY his parents wanted him to come here!
Freddy on November 8, 2009 at 5:49 PM
So you will send money for Jefferson’s freezer? That makes a lot of sense, I suppose.
rightistliberal on November 8, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Is that who is running Nancy?
Wade on November 8, 2009 at 5:54 PM
based on Nancy girls vote, what the hell is the difference?
Wade on November 8, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Is that who is running Nancy?
Wade on November 8, 2009 at 5:54 PM
running against Nancy girl?
Wade on November 8, 2009 at 5:57 PM
When an existing septic drain field is saturated to the point where it seeps into the neighbor’s yard, what can you do for that neighbor? You ask the neighbor; what will it take to ignore the mess, right? The neighbor says to allow an easement or to remove that tree that has blocked the view and for good measure, forget about that debt owed by them to you from a previous arrangement.
Removing the funding of abortions from the bill was the metaphorical tree & foregoing the accumulated districts debt of hurricane relief sure makes it appealling to those voting in a district that is still trying to recover from Katrina. Yet, it smacks of the entitlement mentality that it is the responsibility of others to help you out no matter what or for ever how long takes till the next disaster or crisis comes along. Weaning this district off the government teat just got postponed indefinately. Don’t be surprised if this district hasn’t already submitted a request for more federal funding whether it’s warrented or not. Help the helpless yes, but don’t continue to help those who should by now be able to help themselves. Some learned behaviors must be unlearned or this cycle of entitltement for the sake of entitlement will be their ruin as well as ours.
Our country was built in part on the ability to compromise, but when you participate in this shell game of erasing the debt of a local problem at the expence of 1/6 of the nations economy, people are going to recognize that you’ve have surrendered your conservative principles for what must be called the [spreading the wealth of the producers to the non-producers or the cancelling of an accrued debt for the sake of a greater debt yet to be remitted later] liberal-democratic form of a constituency. Kind of like what our current leaders in congress are doing right now – thinking that we can spend our way out of massive debt by just printing more money and spending it with no grasp of econ 101. The future is not set but there sure will be hell to pay. Problem is most of my generation will be dead by then.
True – Joe Cao’s vote was not a factor in the bill passing but it is a disappointment to those who believed that he stood for principles and not for a government mandated health care bill. How could someone in good conscience vote for a government health care bill that plans to takeover more of the private sector? His days as a congressman may soon be over because he traded down instead of up. It is a shame because the guy he replaced was a crook. Now, what can he do but accept the fact that he is no longer a person who can speak for the big “R” republican brand of politicking? When will he change his party affiliation? Before the RNC helps fund his next congressional run or after he wins his district in 2010? Time is no longer on his side.
Americannodash on November 8, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Hmmm sounds like a liberal reason to me. Everything based on feeling not on principles or truth or freedom.
He’s out next year.
laurakbarr on November 8, 2009 at 6:27 PM