Money Dries Up for GOP's Only Supporter of Health Reform

Louisiana Rep. Cao's fundraising down 40%

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 24, 2010 10:42 AM CST

(AP) – The lone Republican lawmaker to support Democratic health care legislation has seen his fundraising drop by nearly 40% since his vote, forcing him to resort to a costly national fundraising operation as he burns through a dwindling bank account. Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, the unlikely congressman from New Orleans, has the unenviable job of trying to please a heavily Democratic constituency while relying on conservatives for money to fuel his campaign.

Although Republican leaders have continued supporting Cao with money from their campaign committees despite his health care vote, other donors haven't been as forgiving. He's hired a fundraising group to make up the difference, but it's urging him to be more conservative—a perilous gambit for a lawmaker in an overwhelmingly Democratic district that awarded Barack Obama 75% of the vote in 2008; Cao won in part because his opponent, Rep. William Jefferson, was found with $90,000 in his freezer and indicted on bribery charges.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee member Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, R-La. listens on Capitol Hill in this file photo. (Alex Brandon)

Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, R-La., answers a question on health care at a town hall meeting in Westwego, La. in this file photo. (Bill Haber)

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Money Dries Up for GOP's Only Supporter of Health Reform

Louisiana Rep. Cao's fundraising down 40%

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Obama's 2011 Haul: Less Than Bush's in 2003

But still an impressive amount: Politico

Dummy Firms Squeeze Millions From Medicare

Fraud-fighters finding it hard to stay ahead of shell companies

White House Gives States More Say on Health Law

Proposal would let them determine 'essential benefits'

Gingrich Backed Individual Health Care Mandate

And other big government programs that benefited his clients: NYT

Health Reform Insured 2.5M Young People

Coverage up among 19- to 25-year-olds, now eligible for parents' insurance

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Money Dries Up for GOP's Only Supporter of Health Reform

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health care • New Orleans • campaign fundraising • health care reform • fundraising • Joseph Cao • political fundraising

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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Obama's 2011 Haul: Less Than Bush's in 2003

But still an impressive amount: Politico

Dummy Firms Squeeze Millions From Medicare

Fraud-fighters finding it hard to stay ahead of shell companies

White House Gives States More Say on Health Law

Proposal would let them determine 'essential benefits'

Gingrich Backed Individual Health Care Mandate

And other big government programs that benefited his clients: NYT

Health Reform Insured 2.5M Young People

Coverage up among 19- to 25-year-olds, now eligible for parents' insurance

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?