Cao says he put his district's needs over his party's wishes

[cal04]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/11/08/cao-says-he-put-his-districts-needs-over-his-partys-wishes/

Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao said Sunday he put the needs of his district over the desire of his party in being the lone House Republican to vote for a sweeping overhaul of the nation's health care system.

Cao's "yes" vote ended up being unnecessary for House Democrats in the 220-215 tally, but as the only GOP member to support the bill, he gave House Speaker Nancy Pelosi license to tout bipartisan support for the controversial measure.

"I felt last night's decision was the proper decision for my district even though it was not the popular decision for my party," Cao, a first-term representative from Louisiana's traditionally Democratic 2nd District, told CNN.

"A lot of my constituents are uninsured, a lot of them are poor," Cao said. "It was the right decision for the people of my district."

[joeybee12]

1. I wish this guy would turn Dem...he's decent, but

will get walloped if they get a non-criminal Dem to run against him next time, although in Nawlins, that might be difficult.

[Bonn1997]

4. Or is it more valuable to have a few Republicans voting with the Dems?

[localroger]

6. He'd still be a very blue dog

I think he will switch; this defiance makes it almost certain. But LA-2 is a district that could be won (and better served) by a much more liberal D.

[alsame]

2. That's what Reps are supposed to do - they are elected to

do what's best for the people who voted for them, not the GOP machine.

Thank you for having principles, Rep. Cao. :toast:

[Barack_America]

3. Good for him. Putting the needs of his constituents over himself.

This guy is a profile in courage, seriously. Being willing to make himself enemy no. 1 of the teabaggers.

Wow.

[patrice]

5. Can we do a money-bomb for him?

[Snotcicles]

7. I'm going to fire off a ten spot, today nt

[adamuu]

8. I oppose this idea. Let the Republican party attempt to fix itself. n/t

[OregonBlue]

9. No. He is actually very conservative. We need a real Dem in that seat.

[laughingliberal]

10. Wonder what Dem senator Landrieu will think of this

Alleged Democrat, Mary Landrieu, is opposing public option and stated she thought people in favor of it thought it was "free health care." Wonder how she gets around a Republican in her state deciding to do what was right for his constituents? Could make her look really bad.