Pro-Life Republican To Become Democrat?

As well as an excellent article on how the Obama Administration is still haunted by the spectre of neoliberal economics, and a link to the YouTube video of the endorsement of the Pregnant Women Support Act by Democrats for Life, Right Democrat has this:

Congressman Anh Cao (R-LA) might really be a Democrat at heart. Cao is a former Jesuit seminarian whose interest in law and politics originated from a desire to to advance social and economic justice. The newly elected Republican representative had to be placed under tremendous pressure from the House GOP leadership to oppose President Obama's stimulus package. Displaying a willingness to break with his party on key votes, Cao supported the Lilly Ledbetter Act and funding for children's health care insurance programs.

Cao's New Orleans-area district is overwhelmingly Democratic and switching parties is probably the Congressman's only hope to win re-election. I suspect that Cao's pro-life views are the main reason for his association with the GOP. Cao could be far more effective working within the majority party and join the growing ranks of pro-life Democrats.

From the Asian American Action Fund Blog:

Is Louisiana Representative Anh Cao a closet Democrat, flirting with switching sides? Cao did join the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, which has traditionally been Democrats-only. And at his recent induction into CAPAC, Cao himself joked: “Don’t tell the Republicans, but I might be a closet Democrat,” said Cao to a round of laughter.

“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.

I had previously suggested that switching to the D’s would be a good career move for Cao, who represents a heavily Democratic seat. Now national news is covering the possibility, with suspicions only increasing after Cao’s offhand remarks.

Cao, who increased his profile post-Katrina by advocating for Vietnamese Americans who were victims of the storm, is facing a recall petition by ministers in his district who are incensed at his no vote on the stimulus bill. Cao is part of a new generation of Vietnamese who are in office including Madison Nguyen of San Jose, who recently successfully faced down her own recall, 55-45. Although Vietnamese Americans traditionally have voted Republican, an increasing number of new Vietnamese American voters tend to be Democrats.

Rep. Cao, come on over and join the party of community activists. You seem to stand for accountability and greater transparency, with your calls for investigations into cronyism and abuse at FEMA’s regional offices. It seems like you are paying attention to the district’s issues, and you were an immigration attorney. Surely you must know that conservative policies have been destructive to immigrant communities. You vote with Democrats on SCHIP and the omnibus. Your district is +28 Dem in the Cook Political Report. If the Dems can solidify around a decent challenger, your term as the the first Vietnamese American Congressman might just last two years.

Personally, I like you and respect that you worked in the community. I like your honest and open face and how real you seem. I’d like to watch your career for a long time, and I don’t know if that can happen under the aegis of the GOP. And yeah, it shouldn’t matter what color someone is if they represent their constituents well, nor should it matter what party they belong to. And you can keep serving your community even if you lose your next election, but I suspect you’d rather do it from the House of Reps. So come out of the closet and be a real Dem.