GOP Rep: "I Might Be A Closet Democrat"

Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, a Republican in a deeply Democratic Louisiana district, was welcomed on Tuesday night into the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Addressing the group at a ceremony in the Capitol Visitors Center, Cao did a little bipartisan outreach.

"Don't tell the Republicans, but I might be a closet Democrat," said Cao to a round of laughter.

He then added that party shouldn't define a member of Congress and that "we are basically servants of the citizens of the United States."

Last election, Cao upset the indicted-Rep. William Jefferson, who famously was caught with $90,000 in alleged bribes stuffed in a freezer (in retrospect a sound investment). The district's overwhelming Democratic slant, however, has led to speculation that Cao might switch parties to avoid getting knocked off in 2010 by an opponent not under indictment. His quip about being a closet Democrat can only fuel such speculation.

It shouldn't, said his aide, Clayton Hall. "Joseph has a great sense of humor," Hall said, adding that he told Cao that the Huffington Post would report his remark and Cao responded, "Can't a congressman make a joke?"

Cao, on Tuesday night, continued with the bipartisan outreach, asking the Democrats at the ceremony to campaign for him in two years.

"I hope to be part of this caucus for a very, very long time, even though the next two years will be a fight, a constant battle against me. And with that, I'm pretty sure I will need all of your help. I will ask that in two years you come down to New Orleans and assist me," he said to another round of laughter.

Cao was the subject of fierce lobbying by GOP leadership to make sure he voted against the stimulus to maintain the House Republicans' perfect-zero vote against it. He initially voted no, then indicated he might vote for it the second time around. After his second no vote, Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said he had personally spoken to Cao before the vote to urge him to stick with the GOP line. For his votes, he now faces a recall petition at home, organized by a group of ministers, along with Democratic attack ads on the radio.

Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.), chair of the caucus, gave some bipartisan affection back to him. "Cao's a strong addition to the Asian Caucus. Regardless of party line, he is serious about representing his constituents and bolstering economic recovery efforts in New Orleans, particularly for small businesses and minority communities," he said. "He's the only Republican in a minority caucus."

Comments

[JerryMerry]

07:34 PM on 03/06/2009

(in retrospect a sound investment) is one of the funniest asides I have read lately.

[Margary]

01:26 PM on 03/07/2009

GOP threatened to not support him, is what they did! It's the same as terrorist threats! SHAME!

[Deadgnome]

06:11 PM on 03/06/2009

Seems like a man that is doing some soul searching and thinking.

[ChristianEcon.com]

07:19 PM on 03/06/2009

You mean as opposed to digging themselves deeper and deeper into denial regarding the utter destructiveness of their ideology in theory and now unfortunately proven in practice, like the rest of the right seems to be doing?

[pixy242a]

11:56 AM on 03/07/2009

More like sitting on the fence since he is in a majority Dem district.

[Moshe]

02:52 PM on 03/06/2009

But since you actually are in the GOP, you might want to check that closet a little more thoroughly (hint: there might be more than just the DEM thing . . .)

[Donnat]

11:06 AM on 03/06/2009

You wouldn't be the first closeted Republican. But you should have supported Obama and not let the GOP mafia push you around. Both parties would at least still respect you.

[RationalDubSteppa]

07:52 AM on 03/06/2009

We welcome you with open arms and unlike your conservatives pals, around us you don't have to change your name to sound more "anglo"; you can be true to yourself!!

[vietjawn]

12:18 PM on 03/06/2009

I agree, as a Vietnamese American - I understand his 'anglo-ification' to try to "fit" into American lifestyles and such, but a racial minority Republican? I cannot even fathom that notion.

[Takae]

04:31 PM on 03/06/2009

I completely agree!

[mssreader]

02:17 AM on 03/06/2009

Get thee out of that closet fast.

[AndyGra]

10:54 PM on 03/05/2009

Over thirty years ago, in my intrepid youth, I lived in New Orleans. I explored, I read,and knew the Ninth Ward. Sure, there was poverty and crime. But, there was a presence of Who We Are. A sense of Community. That is what I appreciated. When you are young, circumstances form you. We all experience this. Your Dad's war buddies, and his memories. Your Mom's high school days and her beaus. NOLA was my opening to Life. Fortunately, the Bar that (is long gone) that I "hung out" at, called The Wrong Place Saloon has a web site < http://www.wrongplacesaloon.com/>. People still actively making music and affecting lives.
And so, I read about an Aisan American who was strong-armed into voting NO! Aisan Americans have been marginalized for over a hundred years. It is time to stand up to the reactionary Limbaughs of status-quo repression. Maybe he will be a Democrat!

[Brett70115]

02:03 PM on 03/05/2009

The minority rich white Republicans in New Orleans got Cao elected. He'll never survive re-election nor should he. Just to let the rest of the county know, not everyone is a piece of dirt Republican in Louisiana, it just seems that way with Jindal, Cao, Vitter and Scalise. Can the US invade Louisiana? Please?

[nolajam]

02:10 PM on 03/05/2009

Hah!

[RationalDubSteppa]

07:54 AM on 03/06/2009

Whoa, I;m with you Jindal, Vitter and Scalise but Cao isn't that bad!! He isn't a J3sus freak and he does seem to have moderate positions(but I could be wrong... :)

[Brett70115]

04:54 PM on 03/06/2009

He crawfished on his vote twice - after he told local media that he would vote yes. He caved and showed no spine. Sounds like a dirt bag to me. But yes, he's not a Jesus Freak (that I know of at least)

[HoosierRadical]

01:03 PM on 03/05/2009

This guy is a jerk...closet democrat my butt.

[foxbat]

10:43 AM on 03/05/2009

Closet Democrat? He might be a closet case.

Barely being elected while running against a guy with a freezer full of cash, while probably against the norm in Louisiana, does not bode well for a second term ... especially after voting against aid for the regular folks who helped you squeak by in the election.

It's unlikely that this political ploy won't be seen for what it is. While there are some who played this type of game in the last election, the voters started cleaning house and I hope that cleaning, in both parties, continues into 2010.

[WinterParkMom]

09:12 AM on 03/05/2009

So if they are all 'servants of the people' and he voted against the best interests of the people, he should be fired, yes?

People of Louisiana, get your heads out of your butts and stop electing repubs who don't give a crap about how poor you are, how badly your education system has failed you and how many of you are still waiting for help from FEMA 3 1/2 years later. And get rid of Nagin too, he's done you no favors. this is as bad as Americans electing W twice.

The Atlantic had a stunning article about the racist killings and the rampant racism which came to the forefront during Katrina. Everyone should read it and show it to every citizen and activist in Louisiana.

[nolajam]

02:09 PM on 03/05/2009

It's an interesting thing, WinterParkMom, I live and work in New Orleans and have yet to come across more than one person who admits to having voted for Nagin.
Cao was quickly and immediately a disappointment. I knew nothing about him before the election and was hoping for the best despite his party affiliation. Voting no to the stimulus, twice, sealed the deal for me. He can come over to the light, but he won't get my vote.

[quiviran]

08:04 AM on 03/05/2009

Let him come out of the closet during a roll call vote. Then we'll know. Being the only Republican in that caucus, maybe he'll have some good influences around him.

[rcampbell]

07:53 AM on 03/05/2009

Everything else in the article aside, the parenthetical addition below makes this a very funny line:

....Cao upset the indicted-Rep. William Jefferson, who famously was caught with $90,000 in alleged bribes stuffed in a freezer (in retrospect a sound investment).

[kapalabhati]

08:25 PM on 03/05/2009

That was pretty good.

[Cherie Clark]

05:44 PM on 03/06/2009

Best comment of the day

[jdcasey]

07:32 AM on 03/05/2009

Our doors are always open to those who want to move America forward. I can understand how someone would question their party when Bobby Jindal puts GOP leadersihp failure of Katrina AND Rush Limbaugh serves as the symbol of the GOP. Face it -- he is against kissing Rush's big ol' booty in order to survive.

[Liberalforsure]

06:45 AM on 03/05/2009

How can any enlighted person be a republican?

[roshni]

10:51 PM on 03/05/2009

Good question.

[ssfahrer]

05:02 PM on 03/06/2009

Perhaps being "enlightened" isn't such a good idea. Look what "enlightenment" has done to Western Civilization in the past 400 years-- we're almost as close to collapse as Rome was in AD 450! (Give it another 25 or less years-- then the Apocalpyse....)