From the Times-Picayune:
U.S. Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, R-New Orleans, said Wednesday he is likely to vote for the economic stimulus bill when it comes to a vote, probably today or Friday, even if he is the only Republican member of the House to do so.
"I'm voting along what my conscience dictates and the needs of the 2nd Congressional District dictate, even if I were to be the only member of the GOP to vote for the stimulus package," he said.
"Even though it is going to be a humongous bill, even though we will be in debt for years, I believe that more likely than not, I will vote for it because the 2nd Congressional District needs a stimulus package."
Yes! Rep. Cao, the first Vietnamese-American to serve in the House of Representatives, will make the stimulus bill bipartisan. Credit and respect due, Rep. Cao.
It would, the former Jesuit seminarian said, be a "leap of faith, but that's what I have been doing most of my life."
"A lot of the provisions in the bill will be good for the district, because we need almost everything," he said. "You name it, we need it."
Gov. Jindal, see. That's how to do it. When the folks in your territory need help, you break with your your party and take "a leap of faith". But no, you're careful of your image as a true-blue Republican, and you would not have been chosen to rebut President Obama's State of the Union speech (I laugh as I type this), had you shown any signs of being a renegade Republican.
Of course, Rep Cao represents a heavily Democratic-leaning district. Enough folks were sick to death of William "Dollar Bill" Jefferson, of $90,000 in the freezer fame, who will likely be indicted, that they voted for a Republican, rather than have Jefferson shame the citizens of Louisiana any longer.
What pleasure and satisfaction this news gives me. Imagine! The lone Republican vote in favor of the stimulus package in the House is from Louisiana.
UPDATE: Cao caved in to Republican pressure. The US House of representatives passed the stimulus bill with NO Republican votes, 246-183. Now he'll have to face the music back in New Orleans. I guess the Republicans are scarier than the folks back home. Shame on me for taking Cao's word that he would follow his conscience.
Hurray!
ReplyDeleteSusan, it's great, isn't it? I know that I must not yield to euphoria, because it's only one vote, but it's a good one.
ReplyDeleteHow sickening it is there is support for an outlandish pork laden spending scheme. Be oh so careful what you wish for.
ReplyDeleteCao should be ashamed. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. When this doesn't work, and it won't, he will be a one trick pony and never see office again. How wonderful.
Anonymous, if you leave another comment, please sign a name, any name, make one up. I get the different anonymice mixed up.
ReplyDeleteYou can fall in love with Cao all over again, because the weenie caved in to the Republicans. Now, he will have to face the music back home, where the folks are not all like-minded to you - thank heavens. Say good-bye to your trick pony.
Yeah, I had a feeling that Cao's early announcement of his vote would only give his party the opportunity to pressure him into changing his mind again. Always always always party over country with those people.
ReplyDeleteI was just about to alert you to the fact that Cao did a Gregg, but I see you know already...
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, but I think Mr. anonymous was referring to President Obama, not Rep. Cao. It's a standard wingnut reference to the President. They are so wrapped up in wanting him to fail they don't really care what the results would be, just as long as it gets their GOP back into office...
Kishnevi, I don't know. I read it again, and it could be Cao. Whatever. I don't really care who it is that Anon thinks is a one trick pony.
ReplyDeleteOne could conclude that almost the entire, fecking Republican party has no sense of shame.Isaacson(R-GA) larded-up the bill with tax credits for purchasing a home, then voted against the final version of the stimulus package. At least the two women senators from Mainissippi voted in favor of the final bill that they helped emasculate with Ben N(DINO-NE). I hope President Obama locks the bastards out of the White House until they come begging. "Bipartisanship" does not mean that progressives start with a position of compromise, move right for more compromise, and then get the finger in return for our efforts. Where is (saint) Paul Wellstone when we so need him?
ReplyDeleteJohn, I'm thoroughly sick of bipartisanship. Obama kept his promise and gave it a try. Now it's time to move forward and DO THE RIGHT THING. WE WON!
ReplyDelete