Rep. Cao to Steele: You Need Me
Email ABC News’ Rick Klein reports: The decision by Rep. Joseph Cao, R-La., to vote for the Democrats’ health care bill last night would put him directly in the Republican Party’s firing line, under the standard enunciated by RNC Chairman Michael Steele last week.
On ABCNews.com’s “Top Line” last week, Steele said of Republicans who support President Obama on health care or the stimulus bill: “So candidates who live in moderate to slightly liberal districts have got to walk a little bit carefully here, because you do not want to put yourself in a position where you’re crossing that line on conservative principles, fiscal principles, because we’ll come after you.” Asked about those comments on CNN today, Cao laughed and said he “would like to remind” Steele that Republicans celebrated his election to Congress last year — in one of the most Democratic districts in the country — as a symbol of GOP diversity. Cao is the first Vietnamese-American member of Congress. He also pointed out that, if Republicans want to win back control of the House, they’ll need to control seats in Democratic-leaning districts.
“[Steele] has the right to come after those members who do not conform to party lines, but I would hope that he would work with us in order to adjust to the needs of the district and to hold a seat that the Republican Party would need,” Cao said. Steele and his Democratic counterpart, Tim Kaine, were guests on “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” today — where they engaged in a feisty (and touchy) debate.
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Cao is a liar, however seeing the district you represent I’m sure you had just cause. Hate for you to lose that ACORN backing.
Posted by: bailedout | November 8, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
Since when does a party need traitors who sign on to a massive socialist agenda?
You’d think Rep. Cao, whose family fled communist oppresion, would be sensitive to Government takeovers.
Posted by: spoutinghorn | November 8, 2009, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
So now Steele is threatening any Repubs that don’t tow the party line??! And HOW IS THAT DEMOCRACY????
Posted by: ltl lulu | November 8, 2009, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
The party may not need or want Cao but the American people appreciate a person who is for the common man and not a puppet to party leaders. Way to go Bro. Cao!!!
According to the latest polls, more American’s want the public option and the last I checked, we are a country who goes with the majority.
Posted by: Chuck | November 8, 2009, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
God bless Rep. Cao, an independent, thinking Republican.
Please, GOP, purge him, so that your party – like your minds and hearts – becomes smaller and smaller.
Posted by: progressnow | November 8, 2009, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
Cao needs to be sent back to Viet Nam.
Posted by: GTR5 | November 8, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
lulu. Are you another liberal public educated indivivdual. Didnt you read the article? If a member does not follow party lines which in this case would be a tax laden health care bill that will bankrupt the country they can be removed from the party. It has nothing to do with democracy it has to do with the party you represent. That is why I encourage intelligent, honest and hard working people to become independents. However lulu you are not encouraged to leave the democratic party.
Posted by: tina | November 8, 2009, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
The GOP needs neither!
Posted by: jafo | November 8, 2009, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
“Please, GOP, purge him, so that your party – like your minds and hearts – becomes smaller and smaller.”
Hey genius, nowhere in The Constitution is the power found to force people, under penalty of law (including fines and imprisonment), to pay private parties for services they do not desire to purchase. That’s what this bill does.
Posted by: Mary | November 8, 2009, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
progressnow..did you feel the same about Lieberman who is an independent thinker who has changed his stance on the public option and will kill the bill when it goes to vote to the senate or do you only feel that way when one goes the way you want it?
Posted by: sabrina | November 8, 2009, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm
“So now Steele is threatening any Repubs that don’t tow the party line??! And HOW IS THAT DEMOCRACY???? ”
————
It’s the same democracy that Democrats have been doing lately to force all their party members to toe their party line.
It’s called politics!
Posted by: malcat | November 8, 2009, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
When Rep. Cao said, “I felt last night’s decision was the proper decision for my district” what he was basically saying was that he didn’t mind embracing socialism as long as the rest of the country paid for his district’s problems while being handed some “Katrina pork.”
Shame on him for turning his back on the Conservative principles for his own needs. He might as well follow Senator Specter.
Posted by: mgc6288 | November 8, 2009, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
When Rep. Cao said, “I felt last night’s decision was the proper decision for my district” what he was basically saying was that he didn’t mind embracing socialism as long as the rest of the country paid for his district’s problems while being handed some “Katrina pork.”
Shame on him for turning his back on the Conservative principles for his own needs. He might as well follow Senator Specter.
Posted by: mgc6288 | Nov 8, 2009 5:33:15 PM
I agree mgc…
When Cao said he felt his decision was the proper one for his district, he said it all. His district is heavily democratic. Of course it was the right decision for them (liberals), and for him (for re-election). But is it right for everyone? Why should he care…his re-election bid is right there.
It’s a shame that this great country is run by individuals who focus on nothing more than themselves. Our founding fathers are turning in their graves at this disaster we have become. It was never the intention to have government RUN the country, but to SERVE the country. It would do this administration well to read a history book once in a while.
Posted by: Shoe | November 8, 2009, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm
Cao is a true patriot. He represents his constituents and doesn’t buy into the GOP lies. We need many more representatives like Cao.
Posted by: Bill | November 8, 2009, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
“Hey genius, nowhere in The Constitution is the power found to force people, under penalty of law (including fines and imprisonment), to pay private parties for services they do not desire to purchase. That’s what this bill does.”
Posted by: Mary | Nov 8, 2009 5:00:52 PM -
The constitution confers upon congress the power to provide for the general welfare of the nation. If the mandate is in the final version of the bill signed into law by the president, than I’m sure it will be challenged on constitutional grounds, and the supreme court will decide if congress, as the peoples’ representative, has that right.
Posted by: progressnow | November 8, 2009, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm
“progressnow..did you feel the same about Lieberman who is an independent thinker who has changed his stance on the public option and will kill the bill when it goes to vote to the senate or do you only feel that way when one goes the way you want it?”
Posted by: sabrina | Nov 8, 2009 5:04:24 PM -
Lieberman is still a Democrat, isn’t he. He’s not being purged. The national party doesn’t have him in their crosshairs. They’re not “coming after him.” I respect his independence while vehemently disagreeing with some of his positions.
His politics can be frustrating but the Democratic party is filled with diverse voices, admittedly a foreign concept to conservatives. The party will treat Lieberman as an internal, family squabble, and we’ll see where he is in the end. We don’t send our dissidents “back to Vietnam.”
Posted by: progressnow | November 8, 2009, 8:20 pm 8:20 pm
Another freaking RINO! Don’t people ever learn.
This mans family has lived under an oppressive regime, yet he is willing to turn this country into a socialist hell hole.
Traitor!
Anyone who votes for this oppressive bill is a traitor to this country and the American people.
Purge them all!
Posted by: pokey | November 8, 2009, 8:23 pm 8:23 pm
“Purge them all!”
Posted by: pokey | Nov 8, 2009 8:23:59 PM
It’s official. Conservatives, in all their holy wrath, have destroyed Reagan’s “big tent.”
Congratulations.
Posted by: progressnow | November 8, 2009, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
how novel – a politician who thinks he should represent his constituents instead of big business.
He just might get the votes of alot of independents who are looking for free thinkers.
Posted by: citizenvoter | November 8, 2009, 9:40 pm 9:40 pm
the scare tactics against health care are the same ones that were used against the setup of social security.
30 years from now people will say who were those fringe people?
Posted by: trueblue | November 8, 2009, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
rep. cao is a hero! it’s about time there was a republican that demonstrated the capability for independent thought!
Posted by: justsane | November 8, 2009, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
I want to say to Mr. Steele that he is “IMMATURE” AND EVERY TIME HE OPENS HIS MOUTH, HE SOUNDS VERY FOOLISHI AND IGNORANT…..REP. CHAO REMINDED HIM OF HOW STUPID HE SOUNDS..THIS SHOWS THEY ARE ABOUT THEIR PARTY AND POLITICAL CAREERS INSTEAD OF THE WELL-BEING OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. GO HOME TOKEN!!!!
Posted by: sara | November 8, 2009, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm
People you just don’t get it. As a rule elected representatives that vote with opposition aren’t truely members of the party that they claim to be part of. For example the Democrat Party claims that the Reulican Parrty does not want moderates. My point would be that moderates are not in favor of abortion, moderates are not in favor of goverment takeover of business, moderates are not in favor of goverment run healthcare, modrates are not in favor of any socialist type program, and any other program that does not promote the what American is actually about. If you listen to the Dems they are correct about moderates and welcome in the Repulican Party or in the independent movement. The reason is that yesterdays moderates are now today’s left-wing liberal.
No longer are moderates moderates. And everyone that states that is attempting to define something that they don’t know one damn thing about.
Posted by: findthemorons | November 9, 2009, 7:43 am 7:43 am
What do you da.m people want, health care or no health care. Hell, its only because Obama is black is what has these da.m conser angry. The reps knows it is a good bill. they will never be voted in again if it is not passed
Posted by: Littlejohn | November 9, 2009, 8:35 am 8:35 am
Yes Chuck, you are so common.
All Hail Obama!
All Hail the State!
Posted by: JamesJ | November 9, 2009, 9:25 am 9:25 am
Trueblue says: “the scare tactics against health care are the same ones that were used against the setup of social security.
30 years from now people will say who were those fringe people?”
This will bankrupt us long before 30 years. Liberals are sheep
Posted by: JamesJ | November 9, 2009, 9:26 am 9:26 am
The Republicans today are the Communist Party of Mao during his campaign of fear and terror in the late 1960′s early ’70′s. The Communist Party purged itself of the so-called ‘Intellectuals’ (doctors, nurses, teachers, professors, accountants, lawyers, writers, artists, etc.) anyone and everyone with a college degree or who disagreed with their reign of hate – leaving them the party of the ignorant, easy manipulated members who are proned to violence!!! Which is EXACTLY what the Republican Party is today – haters, intolerant fools who would rather kill you than listen to you.
REPUBLICANS ARE THE TRUE, NEW COMMUNIST PARTY!!!! AND ‘FOX’ IS THEIR MACHICE OF LIES AND HATE, FEAR AND CHAOS!!!
Posted by: Melanie | November 9, 2009, 10:19 am 10:19 am
The GOP will decide the rancor of the week by the end of the day I’m sure. If you vote for anything bipartisan, the republican are gonna get you, and make you feel like a criminal in your own party. Actually it is now “their own party” the right wing radical bible thumping, gun slinging, gay hating, freedom smashing, white, christian, fanatic, Americans. Americans being used as loosely as possible.
Posted by: Chuck | November 9, 2009, 11:49 am 11:49 am
It sounds like Cao traded his vote for a promise of monetary help in his district. And this deal was with President Obama.
Posted by: luvg-d | November 9, 2009, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm
WOULD ALL ANTISOCIALIST MEDICARE AND MEDICAID AND SOCIAL SECURITY RECEIPTANTS PLEASE RETURN THEIR SOCIALIST FUNDS TO THE UNITED STATES
TREASURY. IF THEY NEED THE ADDRESS THEY CAN FIND IT ON THE FRONT OF THEIR MONTHLY CHECK. IF THE CHECKS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY ARE DIRECT DEPOSIT, THEY ONLY NEED TO ADVISE THEIR BANKS THAT THEY ARE TO BE RETURNED UPON RECEIPT. OUR SOCIALIST PRESIDENT AND THE REST OF AMERICA WOULD APPRECIATE IT, THE RETURN OF THOSE CHECK WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN REDUCING THE NATIONAL DEBT… AND IT WOULD MAKE EACH SOCIALIST FEEL VERY AMERICAN.
Posted by: JMCMICKENS | November 9, 2009, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
Rep. Cao,
I for one would like to thank you for a vote for the people. I may not like that Government has to take control of health care no one is to blame except the health insurance companies thenselves. Refusal to cover, restricting coverage, dropping coverage, paying CEO’s 54 million a year, using fear as a weapon. We would not have needed Health Care Reform if the insurance companies had not acted as gods to decide who lives and who dies. Not providing medical care for all Americans is the biggest moral issue since Social Security. To call health care reform socialism is just another scare platform. When you call the police, fire, ambulance in most cases you are calling a government run program. No it is not perfect, but private theft is not perfect either. Allowing private busines to hold americans hostage is a violation of your oath of office.
Posted by: Allen Klinefelter | November 9, 2009, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
Heh Cao, true republicans don’t need you. You’re the one that needs somebody. That “someone” is OBAMA.
Posted by: KansasGirl | November 9, 2009, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
“The Sleep of Reason Brings Forth Monsters.” Goya
Monsters like Palin, Beck and those today that make a profit off the sick (Private Health Insurance CEOs) and the ignorant (what is left of the Repub “Purging” Party!
Posted by: Melanie | November 9, 2009, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
“…modrates {SIC} are not in favor of any socialist type program, and any other program that does not promote the what American is actually about…The reason is that yesterdays moderates are now today’s left-wing liberal.”
What America is about is democracy and freedom. Freedom to vote our ideals. And for those votes to decide who leads this country.
And that’s what the cons are a war with. They are not in favor of freedom. They want everyone to think one way – their way. They prove it by pretending that if someone disagrees with them it must be because they are “liberals” or deluded or dedicated to the overthrow of the US or all of the above.
So those people – the ones who disagree – don’t count. Their opinion is to be ignored. Because they don’t toe the line, they’re not “real” Americans.
But what really gets the cons angry is that in elections the votes of those people DO count. And that’s why the cons are on the outside looking in – salivating with their noses pressed against the glass.
So they do what any pack of animals do when frustrated, they turn on each other.
The dems on the other hand have people within the party that disagree. They are not called names or spit on. They have been warned that the cons are their enemies even if they vote the way the cons want them to.
Because cons don’t care about winning votes, just recruiting more puppet people. Watch this next election cycle to see how many incumbent Reps (election winners) are tossed aside. Because the cons don’t want people that dare to have an independent thought.
Posted by: OB-Wan222 | November 9, 2009, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
Finally someone who votes for the needs of their district and not the obstruction of their party. Rep. Cao realed the the Republican party’s only objective is to obstruct anything this President tries to accomplish, regardless of the what the outcome means for the American people. Most members in Congress, Republicand and Democrats are more concerned about the next election, position, power and politics and they could care less about us. They need term limits so they have less time to be enthralled in selfish greed. We need to get rid of the lobbyist that work for their and only their good. They have been around foreve and they lobby BOTH parties. Real change will not come until we change the way our Congress operates. They have written the laws that have allowed us, the American people, to be fully taken advantage of and the only ones who benefit are them and Wall Stree. Is anyone else seeing this?
Posted by: americangirl | November 10, 2009, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
Sorry for the typos earlier, but I think you get it. We really need to stop the hateful talk on both sides. That does’nt accomplish anything. It is going to take all of us working together to solve the problems that BOTH parties have created. None of us is totally right, we can all learn to compromise for the greater good of our country. Just because something might work for me, doesn’t mean it works for everyone. We are our brother’s keeper.
Posted by: americangirl | November 10, 2009, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm