Here's what was happening to Cao before he voted:

[Are_grits_groceries]

<snip>
Almost every eye in the chamber darted to the far end of the GOP side, where the last possibility for a bipartisan bill sat wedged between Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), both of whom were leaning on him, both literally and figuratively.
<snip>
After several minutes, Cao cast a yes vote from his seat, making the bill bipartisan. Reps. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) and Mike Honda (D-Calif.) waded into the Republican side of the aisle to get to Cao, rub his shoulders and slap him on the back.

Cantor stormed out as the Democrats applauded their defector.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/08/health-care-pa...

Cao has more guts than Cantor and all the other Rethugs in the chamber.

What happened to him isn't unusual on either side. If there is a recalcitrant member whose vote is really needed, they have somebody physically beside them. It was extremely important to the Rethugs that they get a unanimous vote against the bill.

I can just imagine the shitstorm headed Cao's way. However, anybody with his courage can withstand it. He went through Katrina and Cantor isn't even a gentle breeze.

[vadawg]

1. i cant honestly think that one guy makes it bipartisan

especially if the pubs get rid of him, which is what i would do if i was them, cause if this bill dosent deliver it will make the most compelling ads next election cycle...

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. I'm not even talking about bipartisanship.

That boat sailed so long ago, it should be at the edge of the Earth by now.

The Rethugs were dearly counting on crowing about the total support they had on their side standing against the bill. No matter how they slice it, that one vote is soldily planted and they can't spin it enough if at all.

Cao deprived them of the moral victory they wanted.

After reading up on Cao, I believe he is really more of an independent. He did a lot of work after Katrina that was recognized by other groups in the area. Even if his vote was one of personal political expediency, it still took guts.

[aquart]

3. Uh, so what if they get rid of him? It's a Democratic district. HE is a Republican.

Got a little sidetracked when Jefferson was arrested, is all.

You are, oddly, talking like a Republican spin doctor.

[vadawg]

4. nope im just looking at the posts on even DU, if this bill isnt perfect

it could be a poisoned pill, think about it, if even one person ends up in jail due to the mandated insurance this will make one hell of a campaign ad. Not sure what the district is now, is it still a democratic district with all the population changes....

[rpannier]

6. Still heavily Dem

He beat 'Cold Hard Cash' Jefferson. The man who keeps 80k in his freezer

[Are_grits_groceries]

7. Really?

I'm not spinning it to try to make Cao's vote look like a victory for the GOP somehow like they did after NY 23.

I do think he is more of an independent, but he has been on the Republican side all year albeit with more persuasion at some points too.

Boehner and company were saying BEFORE the vote that there would be a solid block of all NOs on the vote.
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Rethug spin doctors will make up a brazillion excuses about Cao. They will give so many reasons for his defection that your head will spin.

Bottom line: They couldn't deliver what they promised on the most important vote for them in a long time.

This will not go down well with the teapotters. They will take it as proof that the establishment Republicans can't make good on what they promise.

It was one vote, but they made such a big deal out of the whole issue that it turned out to be one hell of a vote.
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Why is this Republican spinning?

[rpannier]

5. Cao represent a very Democratic District

A district he would have lost of it wasn't for 'Cold Hard Cash' Jefferson being the Democratic Rep/Nominee

What Cantor thinks is probably way down on the list of Cao' concerns

[localroger]

10. I think the die is cast

The R's have had to steamroll Cao before to keep him in line. He knows he will take major shit for this, and has probably already decided to switch parties before he runs again. He knows he can't win LA-2 as a Republican against any real Democratic candidate, but if he goes up as a very blue dog who voted for HCR and defied the R's on some other major issues he might have a shot.

[tomm2thumbs]

8. they weren't able to hold together their caucus - that is the point

they can't then say the Democrats weren't able to hold together their caucus now because they themselves didn't.

saaahhh-weeet!

[Trekologer]

12. That's the biggest point

Before the vote, Bohner was proclaiming that not a single Republican would vote for the bill. That didn't happen. Pelosi and Hoyer made no such proclamation and the bill passed. The Republicans lost and the Democrats won.

[Ian David]

9. Someone will probably assassinate him. n/t

[Stevenmarc]

11. One vote makes it bipartisan is like saying one buck makes you a millionaire

[Are_grits_groceries]

13. I repeat.

The Rethugs put a lot on the line by declaring that EVERYBODY would vote no. That was the moral victory they were aiming for.

It doesn't have a thing to do with bipartisanship. I don't care who claims that the bill is a triumph because of that one vote. That is partisan bullshit.

Rethugs were busted because they didn't deliver on their great pronouncements before the vote.

[patrice]

14. So, that's what the Stupak amendment was for.

[Are_grits_groceries]

15. I don't think they would risk that maneuver

just for Cao. I don't know what is up with the Castrated Caucus, but that amendment is harsh, mean, and punitive. It went well beyond the Hyde Amendment.

That amendment could have passed the Randall Terry test I'll bet, and that is nothing to be proud of.

[glinda]

16. Cao's actions were admirable. He should be proud.

[rug]

17. Here's what was happening to Cao after he voted:

[tanyev]

18. Thugs.