GOP Rep: "I Might Be A Closet Democrat"

[Joanne98]

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?"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/04/gop-rep-i-might-be-a-clos_n_171825.html

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Future may, indeed, be Cao.

Switch, Joe, switch. You know you want to. :-)

[YOY]

2. Like I've been saying we're everyone who is not them.

Why not take some more of the "sane" right.

We're everyone but the fucking far right these days.

[w4rma]

4. No. Not for extremely partisan districts where a progressive can win a safe seat. (nt)

[DavidDvorkin]

3. A closet Democrat who voted against the stimulus bill!

[FrenchieCat]

5. Guess he realizes NOW that this was a mistake, or else he's

walking the walk of the Republican, and talking the talk of a hypocrite!

[Doctor_J]

6. That will be a pick-up for us in 2010

unless Jefferson wins the Dem primary :eyes: