U.S. Rep. Ahn 'Joseph' Cao says he's 'leaning' toward House Democrats' health plan

[funkybutt]

Source: Times Picayune, New Orleans

In a public forum defined as much by passionate declarations on abortion as by statements about health care policy intricacies, U.S. Rep. Ahn "Joseph" Cao, R-New Orleans, said Thursday that he "leans" toward supporting the House Democrats' vision of a medical system overhaul provided it won't pay for procedures to end pregnancy.



"The word is 'leaning, ' " he repeated to about 150 people gathered at an Irish Channel Neighborhood Association meeting, the first of four planned public forums for Cao during the August recess.

-snip-

The spirited session at Irish Channel Christian Fellowship was not short on raised voices, enthusiastic applause and hearty boos. But there were no physical altercations, security problems or disruptions that have greeted some congressmen, particularly Democrats, in public appearances this month.

Read more: http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2009/08/us_rep_ahn_joseph_cao_says_hes.html

[Teaser]

1. isn't this the guy who swore to vote against it...

even though his career would end?

[ccharles000]

2. did he change his mind

Cao: My career is probably over

Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-La.) began his career in politics by ousting an indicted Democratic congressman in an overwhelmingly liberal New Orleans district. But now he’s acknowledging his political career is close to over after casting a vote against Democratic health care proposal.

After joining with his party to oppose the health care reform legislation that passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Cao for the first time said that he’s destined to be a one-term congressman.

"I know that voting against the health care bill will probably be the death of my political career," Cao told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "But 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, the first Vietnamese-American elected to Congress, has broken with his party on numerous occasions, and has championed recovery efforts back home in the wake of Hurricane Katrina . But on some of the most critical legislation before Congress – the economic stimulus and health care – he’s remained in line under partisan pressure.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0809/Cao_My_career_is_probably_over.html

[Judi Lynn]

3. My God, he's too moral to be a Republican!

Wishing him the very best of luck, and hoping this genuinely moral action will not bring on his political death at all.

Since his district is traditionally liberal, before him, it should love him as a Democrat, if he decides to rethink his party choice!

[comtec]

5. He wants to block abortions

weather or not the doctor requires it.
what kind of asshole is he?!

[MountainLaurel]

6. The sort who cares more about a fetus

Than the living woman.

[comtec]

8. Right, he's not moral he's willing to let millions of REAL people die

to "protect" a fetus he doesn't even want to help pay for.

Every sperm sacred, every child a mouth to feed.

[MountainLaurel]

9. Yep

Someone asked him straight out why he didn't care more about the children who were already living in his district without access to health care, and he couldn't answer the question.

[Judi Lynn]

13. Didn't say his entire attitude is moral. AM saying he's moral to take a stand

against his party and risk losing his career.

Clearly he can't do everything at once.

You're going out of your way to try to contradict me, when the subject was actually the entire health-care program, not a specific part of it.

I have been pro-choice since BEFORE abortion was legal, so don't try to attack me on that issue.

[Judi Lynn]

12. I wasn't referring to his entire package.I mean he's willing to stand against the Republican party.

That's an important starting place.

[HamdenRice]

4. He should switch parties nt

[MountainLaurel]

7. I was in attendance last night

And he hedged the entire time -- couldn't answer one question with a straight answer. Not even "We know what you're against; what do you believe in?" I'd take that term "leaning" with a big ol' grain of salt.

[funkybutt]

10. So you don't think he'll vote for it? n/t

[MountainLaurel]

14. No, I don't

I think he'll find some excuse not to cross his RNC masters: that the bill didn't outright say that women would be left to bleed to death rather than murder an innocent fetus, that the bill wouldn't promise that insurance company CEOs could continue to make $5 million bonuses each year, etc.

[Bonhomme Richard]

11. Who's kidding who? He's looking for some of that........

insurance lobby money that's being thrown around.
That's it.