Cao may cast lone GOP vote for stimulus
His district needs aid it provides, he says
Thursday, February 12, 2009
By Jonathan Tilove
Washington bureau
WASHINGTON -- 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.
If Cao were really acting according to what his "conscience dictates" he would have been involved in the process that shaped the bill from the beginning. This way, he could have helped deliver a bill that better reflects the needs of his district.
Instead, Cao ignored this opportunity in order to make a callous political statement against the bill while it was up for debate in the house. I actually heard Cao on WWL radio try to tell Bob and Monica that he voted against the bill because it included "money for condoms". Luckily Rep Charlie Melancon was on at the same time and pointed out that Cao was dishonestly referring to a provision that had already been stripped from the bill.
When Cao could have been conscientiously protecting his constituents, he was happily singing the "I'm Against It" song with the rest of the Groucho caucus.
One more time, please
If he wants to cosmetically attach his name to a bill he did nothing to shape, he's certainly welcome. But let's not mistake cowardly opportunism for conscientiousness or concern for the "needs of the district".
See Also: Adrastos and WCBF
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