I watched today's stimulus vote very closely - not because the outcome interested me (everybody knew the monstrosity would pass), but to see how which Republicans decided to break ranks. Actually, I was really only watching one vote in particular, Rep. Joseph Cao (R-Louisiana). Most political junkies will remember Rep. Cao as the giant-killer who took out scandal-ridden Rep. William "Cold Cash" Jefferson on his way to becoming the first Vietnamese-American Congressman in history. He was an instant hero for the otherwise humiliated GOP, but there were a few problems...which is why this post was not written months ago.First, Cao is a political novice with few defined issue positions other than a staunch pro-life stance and a commitment to redeveloping New Orleans - not to mention a newly-minted Republican (in 2007, he ran for State Representative as an Independent). He cast himself as a totally open-minded post-partisan, and considering that he represents a heavily-Democratic district, many were rightly concerned that he could become one of the most moderate Republicans in Congress. Secondly, Cao's election was a bit of a fluke - facilitated by the incumbent's scandals and and postponed election (due to Hurricane Gustav). Despite his newfound rockstar status, it seemed highly unlikely that he would even come close to winning a second term. How could we be sure that this guy wasn't going to go liberal, and how could we possibly protect him if he did live up to his promise? Today, I think we may have some solutions to both issues.
I was disappointed to hear this morning that Rep. Cao was one of the only Republicans "leaning yes" on today's stimulus vote. His New Orleans-based district REALLY DOES need infrastructure money for reconstruction (and redevelopment was one of his big campaign issues). So, in order to get the funding his district desperately needs, he was openly flirting with becoming the only Republican to support the bloated, non-stimulating proposal. And then the fight over Cao's vote began.
The White House assigned a staffer to do nothing but hound Cao for his vote, and the Republican team started applying pressure too. Cao asserted his independence when asked whether fellow Louisiana Republican Steve Scalise had been assigned to "whip" him into line against the bill, and I admired his response even if I didn't like what it implied, "Steve Scalise doesn't know kung fu. I know kung fu. He can't whip me." However, Cao proved today that he could also withstand direct pressure from President Obama and pundits who said that he had to vote with the Dems to save his chances of re-election - he voted "no".
Now, while his vacillation may have implied greater moderation, I don't think that anyone can now doubt that Joseph Cao is a faithful public servant who is motivated totally by doing what he thinks is right. He has good conservative instincts, he's honest, he's an upstanding citizen, and he's independent minded - so even if he goes a little moderate sometimes, I like him a lot. More importantly, I think he's a tremendous asset to the Republican Party, and we need to make sure that he sticks around for a while...and, no offense, but running him for re-election in a district that's 70% Democrat would be roughly equivalent letting him water-ski in the bayou (otherwise known as "trolling for gators").
Luckily, we do have one - and ONLY one - shot at saving Joseph Cao from certain political destruction in 2010....we can run him as a primary challenger to U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA). You may remember that, in 2007, Vitter admitted to being a past patron of the prostitution service run by the now-infamous "DC Madam". This guy is vulnerable, and you can count on the Dems to target him in 2010. So, while Vitter may have a strong conservative voting record, I frankly don't think we should be wasting the party's time and money defending his indefensible actions. In fact, it's likely that Vitter's re-election race will make a mockery of the American political process - as there is already a very strong internet movement to highlight his improprieties by drafting porn star Stormy Daniels to run against him (and Miss Daniels is telling national media outlets that she's seriously considering it).
In all frankness, the people of Louisiana deserve better than the oversexualized circus that would result from a Vitter vs. Daniels race. And, considering the other candidates, the soft-spoken, devoutly religious Cao would probably represent a refreshing change of pace. Furthermore, Louisiana is notorious for corruption, and voters have recently become VERY receptive to candidates with a "clean government" message. This is how Cao got into Congress in the first place, and also how Bobby Jindal got to the governor's mansion.
Cao may be a little moderate at times, but he's an upright, downright honest man and a committed servant of the people. So, he could be just what the doctor ordered for both the GOP and the Great State of Louisiana. In fact, he's probably the only way the Republicans can remove the taint of Vitter without handing the seat to a Democrat. If bloggers start agitating for his candidacy now (and the people here know a thing or two about such operations), we could potentially keep Joseph Cao in Congress AND get rid of a black mark on our party (Vitter) in one fell swoop.
So, I guess my next question is whether anyone here is from Louisiana and how many of you might be willing to help kick-start some "Draft Cao" talk on the blogs (I'm not going to be launching a blog on the subject like last time, but I'm definitely willing to help out someone who will).
Adam, thy IQ runneth over....
ReplyDelete;->
Brilliant analysis, as usual----and I agree: run Cao, find another job for Vitter----and somebody in Louisiana should start a blogspot/grassroots movement for Cao quickly!
(P.S.
Any chance, Adam, that you'll be penning an article for the old Palin-for-VP website any time soon? I'd like to read your take on Gov. Palin's hitting back on each new rumor or slam lately. The MSM/liberals don't LIKE it that she's consequently in the news almost daily (cue whining sound), but isn't Sarah Palin correct, that addressing the muck every time is absolutely necessary? Or is she accidentally making things worse?)
Mama, I like to hear the media whining about Sarah responding, because it just reinforces to me the question of why, now that the media's got everything they want ("The One"-party rule, porkulus), are they upset over a governor of a supposed meaningless state? Same goes for libs and these cowardly moderate cons.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to take a look at this Cao guy. If he has strong principles (that makes him a conservative by default), I could care less if he goes moderate occasionally as long as he has some solid reasoning for doing so.
And one other note: does anybody know exactly what the hell is wrong with Walter B. Jones (NC)*, who attached his name to the phony "Investigate Bush" crowd? Is he a fake, or is he only doing this to shut the Paul/Waxman/Kucinich moonbats up?
*-Walter Jones is the Hall Of Fame left tackle for my Seahawks. I shall never refer to Congressman Jones as Walter Jones, especially if he's a moonbat.
I remember Cao getting elected.. haven't thought of him since until now. I vaguely remember him joining some organization in order to better be able to represent his people.. i forgot what it was now though. Wasn't it the naacp or something?
ReplyDeleteit was the congressional black caucus
ReplyDeletelink
link
ReplyDeleteI know Walter B. Jones. He's the best thing that ever happened to NC's 3rd District! He is honest (believe it or not), conservative, and dedicated. If he wants Bush investigated, he has his reasons, not suspicions. And, he goes to festivals, etc., so he can talk with the people in his district first-hand to hear their opinions and answer questions. Do not knowck Walter Jones! He is one of the GOOD GUYS! (Remember Palin took her own party on for corruption, too.)
ReplyDelete(My hands are cold.) Make that "Do not knock Walter Jones!"
ReplyDeleteGail B., I love your photo! Neat smile....
ReplyDeleteIt's very good of you to support someone you believe you know; we need more people like you in the USA.
Here's the thing about the "investigation" of the Bush administration:
1. Signing any document that pits one against one's party is an easy way to get free publicity as a "maverick," especially if the MSM approves of the signing. Perhaps Walter Jones is an exception, but most politicians milk free publicity whenever possible.
2. Many politicians in Congress and the Senate were on committees that received the same classified information as the President did about terrorist threats or activities. At the time, these politicians all supported our going to war against Saddam Hussein: Hillary, Kerry, Pelosi, Feinstein, etc. In addition, the intelligence reports of OTHER nations corroborated the data we received!----which is why France, Germany, England, Russia, and the UN all believed the data was verifiably reliable and true.
It's therefore rotten of these same politicians to act as though they were uninformed or lied to, that "cherry-picking" the data occurred. They know better; it's all grandstanding.
Sorry Gail, no dice. If he wanted Bush investigated for his support of the McCainesty bill or why the hell he ever appointed Hank Paulson (Schumer's buddy), have at it. If he wants to pin the blame on Bush for destroying Reagan conservatism, have at it. But this reeks.
ReplyDeleteObviously, I'm not knocking Jones if I'm wondering what the hell is wrong with him. I know Jones is a solid conservative, but aligning himself with RINO (I said it, being a pro-life, fiscal conservative is HARDLY enough) Paul, Waxman, and Kucinich--all 9/11 truthers--isn't really doing a lot to show it. Besides, the Iraq war and leading us in the years after 9/11 was the most Reaganesque thing Bush did. As I said, why doesn't he want to investigate Bush on appointing Paulson, amnesty, etc? No leftist support there I guess.
I wouldn't expect this from my fine rep, Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, and I'd react the same way if she did.
I think it's so fascinating how Louisiana, which was a Democratic bastion not too long ago and twice voted for Bill Clinton, is not only proving to be a cornerstone of the GOP, but is the source of our finest Asian-American leaders. Just an incredibly obvious observation. ;-)
ReplyDeleteDamian G,
ReplyDeleteI mentioned this before.
Realclearpolitics.com had an excellent review of the elections by Jay Cost.
In the 11/2008, the GOP made good progress up the Mississippi, in Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota. There were certainly losses elsewhere but real gains here.
When the libs start their rant about hurrricane Katrina and Bush, I point out to them that the citizens of Lousiana disliked Bush so much that they shifted to the GOP in 2008. That really shuts them up.
reminds me of the quote "no atheists in foxholes"... katrina shook up louisiana so badly that the majority, who hadn't before, returned to Godly values that aren't usually defended in the democratic party.. just a thought.
ReplyDeleteGelston,
ReplyDeleteThe problem with your logic is that liberals don't believe in logic. If you say that Louisiana was one of the few States to vote more Republican in 2008 than four years prior, they'll say, "Oh, they're just raaaaacist."
Point out Jindal and Cao, however, and they'll say, "Oh, that's different."
Although many people in the country chose to blame the federal government, I think most of the people who are actually effected by the hurricane knew that the blame fell on the local officials.
ReplyDeleteI talked to a person this week who returned to Washington state from Baton Rouge after visiting her sister. She said that the city is a mess because of the influx of new residents from New Orleans. Apparently a large section of the city had to be rebuilt or added on to accommodate all the new residents from New Orleans. The prior residents of Baton Rouge are apparently not in good spirits about this, according to this first hand account from this person's sister.
One of my college roommates lives in Galveston Texas. Although their city was every bit as devastated, their response to it was entirely different.
You know what, if LA doesn't work out, Cao's welcome to run up here (cause God knows the GOP in this state is run by morons--and they give us crap candidates like Mike McGavick), look at this--nod to Michelle Malkin (poor girl, I didn't know she worked at the SeaSlimes. She's even tougher than I thought!):
ReplyDelete"A multibillion-dollar provision of the new federal stimulus package, billed as a huge jobs boost for the Northwest, might not translate into lots of new jobs for years.
The measure, inserted into the bill at the urging of U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, would enable the federal Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to take on another $3.25 billion in debt to pay for construction projects, such as massive new power lines.
Murray has said the increased spending limit would deliver a swift jolt to the Northwest’s economy, creating jobs and retooling critical infrastructure that would spur development of renewable energy such as wind power.
“It puts people to work immediately. Everyone from engineers to lineman. All the people who are going to have to get up there to build this grid,” Murray said in an interview Thursday, after details of the package were announced.
But even without the new stimulus package, BPA was expected to begin construction of some new transmission lines this year. And, despite claims the added spending power will quickly create jobs, construction of many of the new power lines wouldn’t start for several years.
Officials with BPA, however, said there is a benefit to the new spending authority — the equivalent of having your credit-card spending limit raised."
Ah yes, Patty bin Murray, how could we forget?
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/100835_murray20.shtml (Dec 2002)
"Sen. Patty Murray intended to be provocative when she told a group of high school students terrorist leader Osama bin Laden is popular in poor countries because he helped pay for schools, roads and even day care centers.
"We haven't done that," Murray said. "How would they look at us today if we had been there helping them with some of that rather than just being the people who are going to bomb in Iraq and go to Afghanistan?"
Murray's remarks, to a group of students in Vancouver, Wash., started even more discussion than she expected after they were published Thursday in The Columbian newspaper of Vancouver and then picked up by The Associated Press."
Too bad we lost Jennifer Dunn, she would have throttled Patty Cakes in 2004. I'm unfortunately not holding out any hope that the GOP in WA (which makes the McCain campaign look organized) will give us a strong candidate, this is after all the same GOP that gave us Ellen Braswell for gov in 96 (a sad precursor to the McCain campaign). Last two times out we had the ultimately horrible Mike McGavick, who in the final weeks of his campaign turned against the Iraq war and started attacking Bush. Last year we had Rossi, who was a shell of the candidate he was in 04 and actually CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF the socialist WASL (which the new conservative head of public schools is in favor of dropping). The GOP is dead here.
12th man,
ReplyDeletewhere do you think Sarah Palin's good friend Rep McMorris Rogers will be in 10 years?
where do all these new jobs go once the job is done or the "stimulus" money is gone?
ReplyDeleteG, as I've outlined--unfortunately, we're
ReplyDeletegoing to be staunch blue here in the next five mostly cause we're being overrun with Seattle (and NoCal) transplants. As far as Cathy goes, I hate to say it but she's dead in that time. I can't see her making it to a fourth term, and definitely not a fifth, because those that can see through con men like Don Barbieri and Peter Goldmark (although I liked Mark Mays a little) will be disappearing and replaced by the above-mentioned.
That and:
All the O-bot junk that I saw around here last fall would have been unimaginable 10-15 years ago. The mayor is a total greenie (and I had no choice because the incumbent was a slimeball), the SpoCom and its pet the Inlander are destined to take the #2 spot behind the SeaSlimes now that the P-U is going belly-up, and the only conservativism we have around here are these weasels like Shaun Cross--I didn't vote for Cathy in the primaries in 04 but I'll NEVER forget his cowardly attacks on her. Mike Fitzsimmons is a good guy though, though I rarely listen to him cause he's on at the same time as Glenn Beck (GB comes on at 3 here).
But since it is the Foley seat, I would hope she has a similar long political life. But I can't be sure. Hell, if I had my choice, I'd be up in AK re-electing Sarah on 11/2/10. To sum it all up, I don't know.
What is worse Obama or MSDNC? Obama has had such a horrible first month as President. He decides to Emanual and the White House take over the Census. Which shouln't happen. He promised no lobbyist's in his administration. He puts lobbyist's in. He promised an open government. They passed a porkulus package without reading the bill. Gibbs never answers questions. Please tell me Obama is out after one term. The only thing that Obama has done is bring back Republicans.
ReplyDeleteYou know, it's funny. Everything that the dems claim that Sarah did to unite them (like Axeldork in his stupid Steeleresque gloating over the weekend), "The One" has actually done for the GOP, although I'm still suspicious of McCain and Graham.
ReplyDeleteHe's being set up for a major fall here. Don't be discouraged by all the O-slobbering in the media, in fact encourage (and be entertained by) it, because when reality hits home (stimu-LESS), someone's gonna pay, and he'll be left searching for a teleprompter.
12thman,
ReplyDeleteThe fact that McCain and Graham are bashing Obama and the Dems over porkulus tells us one thing. It is an absolute disaster. Graham himself called the bill a stinker.
Also since Obama got his Porkulus,the economy is his now on Tuesday. He can't blame Bush anymore.
ReplyDeleteMcCain needs to write his legacy.
ReplyDeleteIt might be going back to be a maverick.
Graham seems to be doing a good job.
Adam is right that it is time to connect to the Asians and Latinos.
Jeb Bush had a good interview saying that the crisis in California is a golden opportunity for the GOP to assert themselves the Golden Bear State. It's a very good point
Again, that agrees with Adam. Focus on the states while the focus of the Old Media is in The District.
"The fact that McCain and Graham are bashing Obama and the Dems over porkulus tells us one thing. It is an absolute disaster. Graham himself called the bill a stinker."
ReplyDeleteTrue enough Tbone but Graham was also on This Weak today calling for bank nationalization. Don't make the mistake of thinking that Snowe, Specter, and Collins are the only RINOs in the group. McCain and KBH are up next year, so you'll see some more action out of them (although she already voted for SCHIP). We've already seen some disappointing votes from Cornyn, Ensign, Chambliss, and Corker too don't forget.
12thman,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on alot of Republican Senators. That is a problem I have had with the GOP over the last 8 years in Washington. They became to close to Democrats on some issues. I am not defending Graham and McCain. Lets just hope that Republicans are starting to redefine themselves again. Especially in the house. To Graham. Do not nationalize banks.
We Republicans never win when we cater to the Dumbocrats. Better to be The Conservative Party----which is when we WIN! Americans are still conservative, largely, when they are actually alert and paying attention to the actual issues at hand (trouble is, most Americans are sick to death of "partisanship," which is to say, of the GAME of politics. We want to hear the truth, without any sleaze or deception.
ReplyDeleteAs for "partisanship," btw: it ain't capitulation. Obambi needs to learn that lesson.... and I hope conservative (ie. real) Republicans have the character to TEACH it to him.
Um.... I meant,
ReplyDelete(trouble is, most Americans are sick to death of "partisanship," which is to say, of the GAME of politics, so they aren't always paying attention closely). We want to hear the truth.....
Please say it isn't so!
ReplyDeleteObama seems to be setting the USA up to have the same problem with radical Islamists that Europe is experiencing (assassinated officials in Denmark, etc.)! I just received this email from a friend:
<<
President Barack Obama has signed an executive order presidential determination allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to resettle in the United States. Sure, what can go wrong when we allow hundreds of thousands of people who have been, as Mark Steyn memorably described, "marinated" in a "sick death cult," who voted for Hamas, and 55% of whom support suicide bombings live here and at the American taxpayers' expense:
By executive order, President Barack Obama has ordered the expenditure of $20.3 million in migration assistance to the Palestinian refugees and conflict victims in Gaza.
The "presidential determination" which allows hundreds of thousands of Palestinians with ties to Hamas to resettle in the United States was signed on January 27 and appeared in the Federal Register on February 4. Obama's decision, according to the Register, was necessitated by "the urgent refugee and migration needs" of the "victims."
Few on Capitol Hill took note that the order provides a free ticket replete with housing and food allowances to individuals who have displayed their overwhelming support of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the parliamentary election of January 2006.
Let's review some of Barack Obama's most recent actions since he was inaugurated a little more than two weeks ago:
* His first call to any head of state as president was to Mahmoud Abbas, leader of Fatah party in the Palestinian territory.
* His first one on one interview with any news organization was with Al Arabia television.
* He ordered Guantanamo Bay closed and all military trials of detainees halted.
* He ordered all overseas CIA interrogation centers closed.
* He withdrew all charges against the masterminds behind the USS Cole and 9/11.
* Today we learn that he is allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees to move to and live in the US at American taxpayer expense.
Anyone else seeing a pattern here?
>>
there's the link.
ReplyDeleteYou are right again, mountain mama.
boy, the old media was all over this story:
www.thefederalregister.com/d.p/2009-02-04-E9-2488+%22Determination+No.+2009-15+of+January+27,+2009+%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us
Mountain Mama,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I didn't hear about that one. All that means is that Obama is a very liberal democrat and a socialist. Don't forget that Obama is going by the army field manual on interrogations. Obama is so weak. He thinks you can be nice to enemies and win. Iran just laughs at Obama. We need to get rid of this guy fast. You are so right on when Republicans are really conservative they win elections.
Only problem there is the following three words: President Joe Biden
ReplyDeleteNow watching him in his daily Leslie Nielsen routine would be worth it for the hilarity but there's one problem. The guy thinks he actually knows something, so as bad as it is having Boy Clueless (word is a lot of Democratic sens, knowing this, took him to the cleaners in the C.R.A.P.), there actually IS something worse.
Besides, I want Biden right where he is so at the VP debate in 2012, he'll have to answer Bobby Jindal when he asks him "Guess you never thought I'd make it out of 7-11, did ya?":)
I'm not getting the 7-11 point, 12th man. Help!
ReplyDeleteMama, we recall dummy Biden (paying homage to Leslie, see below) in July 2006:
ReplyDelete"“In Delaware, the largest growth of population is Indian Americans, moving from India. You cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking.”
(Naked Gun 2 1/2:
"I want to live in a world where I can go to a 7-11 WITHOUT AN INTERPRETER!!!!!!!")
Besides, I just HAVE to see Joe The Dumber get torn up by a young lion of the GOP again:)
AH, yes! I remember Biden's remark now; I'd forgotten the 7-11 component.
ReplyDeleteReally, it's amazing to me when true pathological liars, like Biden and Hillary, make it into high office in life. What's WITH Americans, that we accept such deception and pathology?
Is anyone else for the first time actually wondering if the death of America has started, with this porkulus bill???????
There's a reason I post this here, see below
ReplyDeletePalinistas --
It is my sad duty to report we've lost one to the dark side. This would be -- and it really tears me up here -- Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers.
She was on KXLY today with Mike Fitzsimmons, and it was terrible. She sounded EXACTLY like Nancy Pelosi. She was playing pass-the-buck the whole time. She used the 'bad info' defense until she realized it was a dead end. Then, even more insulting, she started dropping in "respect for the taxpayers". Well all these garbage bailouts would have never been passed in the first place if that were the case! How the hell are you going to sign on to a bill which is being rushed through like the others, and this time vote yes?
Sheesh! Walt Minnick was on about two hours before she was and HE was the one that was the straight shooter and had the sharp logic. Mama I know you're skeptical of Minnick in that he's just pandering, but sooner or later the chickens will come to roost (as Jeremiah Wright would say) if you're being a phony. Hell being a straight shooter is the easiest thing in the world cause you don't have to invent anything!
You know, I speculated here about four weeks ago that CMR would be politically dead because all the conservatives are basically gone from our area and we're overrun with a bunch of Seattle/NoCal transplants. But I didn't think it would be THIS soon nor would she begin the process of self-termination!
But all the irate calls after the interview kind of worried me. Threatening to pay her back next year and deny her a fourth term is justifiable, but if you're irate at CMR for turning into a lib and knowing that her opposition will be a hard lib (just like the first two that opposed her, Mark Mays was easily more of a blue-dog), then is the punishment really worth it? There are two schools of thought here--the other being the "know your enemy" M.O., I can understand that but bottom line we need someone to oppose her in the PRIMARY (I actually voted for Larry Sheehan in the primary that year), not general election, else you're just sacrificing one weasel for another under the mantra of "change"--and that's just worked out so well, hasn't it?
As for why I posted this here: Anh Cao voted for it (as well as the TOYS act--Telly Obama's Youth Service, with Cathy also regrattably did) as well. Given that he's facing re-election problems in a highly liberalized district you wonder if he's beginning to wilt too.