(Jake Turcotte)
Scandal-plagued Louisiana Congressman ousted by little-known Republican
By Jimmy Orr | 12.07.08
Just like Thanksgiving dinner, there’s always plenty of leftovers. And this year’s election leftovers were served up in Georgia and Louisiana.
Although this year’s Thanksgiving football games provided no upsets (what do you expect when the Lions are scheduled to play the Titans?), there was a big upset yesterday as little-known Republican Anh “Joseph” Cao knocked off the nine-term incumbent William Jefferson in the Second District of Louisiana.
Scandal-ridden
Now, Jefferson had a little baggage going into the election. He’s got that federal indictment thing he’s fighting. You know, the 16 counts of bribery, obstruction of justice, wire fraud, money laundering, and racketeering.
And then there’s that tough-to-explain issue of the $90,000 in cash that the FBI found in his freezer.
Despite this, Jefferson was expected by most to win. After all, only 11 percent of the residents in his district are registered as Republicans.
Let’s bond
Just on Friday the Wall Street Journal quoted Edward Chervenak, a political science professor at the University of New Orleans discussing Jefferson’s closeness with the voters.
“Everyone seems to underestimate William Jefferson’s personal bond with his constituents,” Chervenak said.
As it turns out, Jefferson has a close personal bond with 47 percent of the voters. The other 53 percent preferred a new bond — with the future first Vietnamese-American member of Congress.
Who is Cao?
As the New Orleans Times-Picayune recounted last week, the guy has quite a story:
Born in war-ravaged Vietnam, Cao fled to the United States when he was 8, learned English, earned degrees in physics and philosophy, and joined the Catholic seminary.
When his views on how best to serve the poor changed, Cao went to law school, began a practice specializing in immigration, settled in Venetian Isles and started a family.
Cao’s reaction to the win? Perhaps astonished is the best word to describe it.
“Never in my life did I think I could be a future congressman,” he said. “The American dream is well and alive.”
Shades of Minnesota
The other race? Looks like a Republican win in the Fourth District as well.
You know it’s got to be a pretty red meat place when Vice President Dick Cheney is called on to do some campaigning (which he did for the Republican candidate last month).
If the vote stands up (provisional ballots have yet to be counted), the GOP will win by the slimmest of margins. As it stands now, Dr. Paul Fleming bested Democrat Paul Carmouche in the contest to represent Shreveport-area constituents by a scant 356 votes.
The seat is being vacated by Republican Jim McCrery who is retiring after 20 years.
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2. RIchard | 12.07.08
So where is your articulate micro analysis of why hillary has not been shut down because she voted to raise the salary of a position she now intends to assume?
Where is your watchdog sleeping that this publication is not filed with question about the non eligibility of the president elect because he is not a natural born citizen?
We are all watching now to see if the press is complicit or actually seres the people by following it’ mandate of exposing th wrongdoings of politicians.
3. Steve | 12.07.08
Richard-hate and fear-mongering didn’t work, remember? Lies didn’t work, remember? Don’t waste your time on CSM sites and others, go ahead and stay with your friends at Fox, please. Seriously. It didn’t work.
Congratulations to Mr. Cao–I hope he does well and remembers that money should be kept in a bank, not the freezer!
5. RED DOG | 12.07.08
According to my information, John McCain was not a natural born citizen either. We have to get over this Republican and Democratic fighting.
Republicans voted for John McCain in the Democratic primary because they did not want Hillary Clinton to run for President.
We have to change or everyone will lose to a deep depression that nobody will want.
6. Jill | 12.07.08
Richard, hopefully you don’t believe the misrepresntations you are spreading? There are plenty of Republicans and a large number of fair minded government employees in the FBI that investigated Obama’s birth. It’s legit. As to the Clinton eligibility for Secretary of State, both parties have gone around that rule, and there are some simple fixes, including Hilary only accepting the prior salary for the job. It may not be right, but there are at least 3 precedents between the Republicans and Democrats.
Congratulations to Mr. Cao. It sounds like he has worked hard to earn this position, and we should all be wishing him well.
7. Bud Larguier | 12.07.08
I was born and raised in Louisiana prior to embarking on a 34 year military career (USMC/USN) and couldn’t be more proud of the folks who elected Mr Cao. I am confident that he will be a great credit to both Louisiana and all Americans. How the times have changed over the past 50 years.
8. Kactus-AZ | 12.07.08
In these times, (the 21st. century) isn’t it about time we start looking at our Senators and Representatives as people, not polital voting machines? It’s up to each and every one of us to examine the person we’re casting our votes for, know a little bit about the way they’re going to vote (or have voted in the past), and whether or not they OWN the state - vote for who we feel will represent out best interests in D.C.??
If you’re backing anyone but someone who will represent YOUR views, you are a complete idiot.
As for their race, God spare us, if there are still racists out there!
Grow up, people, would you rather have yet another PROVEN crook in office telling you how he’s going to spend your tax dollars?
9. Joey Pucci | 12.07.08
My mother says I was not a natural born citizen either because she had to have a sicilian section.
10. Gabe Galardi | 12.07.08
I hate republicans but if this other congress man was corrupt maybe it was the best ting to do to get ride of him sometimes you have to get over political parties and look at the person
11. a liberal democrat | 12.07.08
Richard, you have my sympathy.
Obama was born in Hawaii.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama#Early_life_and_career
Some delightful irony is that McCain was actually born in Panama (in a US Navel hospital).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_life_and_military_career_of_John_McCain#Early_years_and_education
If you want to discuss the validity of their claims to being a “natural born citizen”, I would consider being born in a foreign country a bit more suspect than being born in one of the states of the US - But that’s just my opinion..
There is an interesting entry on “natural born citizen” on wikipedia.org:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural-born_citizen.
I am a white US “natural born citizen” (and a Democrat) and I am delighted to read of Mr Cao’s win. I fully believe that _he_ will treat his position with the responsibility and honor it deserves and will serve all the people he represents to the best of his abilities. I wish him and his family well in the coming years.
12. Olddog | 12.07.08
Congratulations to Mr. Cao. May you serve with dignity and wisdom in your new job.
#2. Richard,…. what a crock of Bovine Feces! The shame is that you probably do think in such crippled process.
Obama is gonna be a wonderful POTUS and you can now fade to obscurity Sir.
13. Ire Verent | 12.07.08
It seems like Louisiana has some big political problems and image problems. When it is not electing someone like David Duke, Jefferson or Edwin Edwards, it votes in the family values guy like Vitter who thinks visiting prostitutes is a family value. My brother went to De La Salle high school with that genius. Now the state with the fattest citizens wants to expand the death penalty to be more like China and execute sex offenders, another black eye. Maybe this election will give them some much needed good press. Maybe even an honest politician.
15. Jeff in Orlando | 12.07.08
Cao is an inspiration to us all. He came to this country with very little and took advantage of the opportunities that are afforded to all citizens. With Jindal as governor and Cao an honest broker for the people of his district, perhaps the corrupt regime of the Democrat party will be broken. Congratulations to Cao and the people for doing the right thing in voting out Mr. Jefferson.
16. El | 12.07.08
I am glad, he along many other Asian Pacific Americans took the lead to be part of this country’s fabric.
We are unrepresented in many areas, especially top level position. Now, we are progressing to be accountable as American and make contribution to this country. It is not just Black and White anymore.
17. Blazestop | 12.07.08
Heck yeah….Me get ride of homie and it be dah best ting to get ride of the crook congressmen…..but please Gabe, what does that have to do with your hate? God help you Gabe.
19. David McCabe | 12.07.08
Congrats Mr. Cao. A great victory for America as a whole.
I’m an “undecided”. I vote for the BEST candidate. Politics is not a team sport, though it often emulates very real characteristics of such. Republican’s, frankly, are terrifying. With their blind faith and willing and scolding ignorance. When you can’t have a rational conversation without half-truths, presumptions and resort to fist pounding and fear mongering, you need help. You’re doing a gigantic disservice to yourself, your family and nation.
20. Blazestop | 12.07.08
Wow OLDDOG, you must be the second coming of Michel de Nostredame. How could you possibly unequivocally say with certain, Barrack Hussien Obama will do wonderful?
21. Sydney King | 12.07.08
“sometimes you have to get over political parties and look at the person”
Sometimes?
22. Jeff P in Texxizz | 12.07.08
Let’s not forget that what almost single handedly brought about Mr. Cao’s impressive victory was Mr. Jefferson’s freezer that contained $90,000 in cash. Incredibly, even a state with an illustrious history of pay-for-play politicians and burn-your-gut sauces and gumbo has developed a distaste for frozen cash in addition to frozen food. Bayou Justice may be the tastiest meal in Louisiana now. Time will tell.
23. dude | 12.07.08
Gabe, from one Democrat to another, hate has gotten this country nowhere. How useful is it to hold onto that hate as we all move into the future? I’d speculate, not at all. I’d say you and RIchard are pretty much on the fringe in the user comment section. Hold onto your views, but please, for the sake of everyone, let the hate go. I am heartened to see so many people from both sides of the aisle, so to speak, reaching out to one another.
24. Blazestop | 12.07.08
Dave,
Please. Obama Hussien Obama campaign was purely emotional…..just like emotional fans of team sports. I wish the elected POTUS the best…raaah….raaah team U.S.A.
25. Steve Kay | 12.07.08
Lets remember one item. Both parties have lots of corruption. The Bush white house, and a lot of the repubs who followed Bush were totally corrupt, and that has begun to be fixed. A process that will take decades to undo the damage to our economy, our legal system, and - note the thrill around the world at Pres. Elect Obama’s election - to the reputation of this great nation, ex leader of the world - destroyed by Bush and his gang.
I may be a Democrat, thanks to Bush. But Jefferson’s rejection is actually a sign of the growing up of the electorate in a state with a history of corruption. Before segregation was knocked over by the courts and Pres. Johnson, the ultra-conservative democrats in the south were guilty of crimes against humanity. That has changed, and lots of the old segregationists are now repubs. But old crooked dems still exist, and one more has been kicked out of office. This is a sign of progress.
But the south has a long way to go. With the repubs having replaced the democrats there as the party of right wing, often religious based hatred of minorities, the repubs, as a general rule are the bad guys still, although this new guy seems to be a decent person who does not carry the souths cultural / religious based baggage left over from the civil war. The south has along way to go - religious blindness, still an undercurrent of segregation, and they are the worst of the worst re treating gay citizens with dignity and respect, often making them the new victims to hate, all in the name of God, no less.
Bottom line - the govt needs good people who look out for the middle class, don’t let the super-rich (largely repubs) rob us blind, and needs to support the aspirations of minorities for equal justice under the law. And in Jefferson’s case, his replacement was a step forward in bringing America together again..
26. Steve O’Brien | 12.07.08
You know what I hate? I hate when people use the word “hate” so freely.
Take Gabe up above who seems to hate Fox. Apparently, some people
begrudge the fact that although Fox may provide more of an outlet for
a more right-wing viewpoint, even Hilary Clinton admitted she got the
most fair coverage from them.
I’m more independent-minded, but let’s all celebrate the win of Cao and
this true “American story.” Let’s get behind him - and Obama - and get
this country headed back on the road toward mutual respect and appreciation
of our differences - rather than fear and hate.
Don’t tell me that it isn’t terrific that so many of the crooks of BOTH parties
are being tossed out or that we shouldn’t get behind the new President.
For God’s sake (and America’s) - STF about who you “hate!”
27. Ram | 12.07.08
How about being “non-partisan” as opposed to “bi-partisan”? How about if our elected officials realize that they are representing people and not “democrats, republicans, libertarians”, or any other party for that matter? How about everyone toning down the rhetoric, and raising our lot by working together as a team, and not by tearing someone down just because she or he doesn’t belong to the “party of our choice”? New challenges need new approaches to solving them; and the same old “liberal” vs. “conservative” labels don’t work anymore. Unless we can agree on what we are trying to achieve, arguing over how to achieve it is of no benefit. How about understanding that we need intelligent, compassionate, and honest leaders; and not a donkey or an elephant or a toad? How about as a people, we learn to behave in a civil and decent manner, so the politicians can emulate us?
28. Sean | 12.07.08
This is a clear message sent by the people of La. They want honest representation and not corrupt, or at least stupidly and arrogantly corrupt officials. Stevens and Jefferson can go to federal prison hand in hand. Ebony and Ivory together at last where they really belong.
29. Slim | 12.07.08
11. a liberal democrat… wrote:
I am a white US “natural born citizen” (and a Democrat) and I am delighted to read of Mr Cao’s win. I fully believe that _he_ will treat his position with the responsibility and honor it deserves and will serve all the people he represents to the best of his abilities.
Even you know that the great majority of republican politicians, when push comes to shove, will do the right thing, not the Party thing. You can ask the “hated” Bush about that.
30. Laotian | 12.07.08
Mr. Cao is not just the first Vietnamese, but the first Southeast Asian, and the first refugee of the Vietnam War to become an American congressman. This is very exciting for all of us, not just Vietnamese, but Laotian, Hmong, Cambodian, as well as Thai, Filipino, and so on.
Congratulations to Mr. Cao, and we hope he serves his constituents well and brings honor to us all.
31. Toonces | 12.07.08
How did this article about a guy from Vietnam winning an election against a very corrupt scumbag democrat turn into a nobama love fest?
32. maureen | 12.07.08
I am Canadian and like most am well eductaed. The way I see it is most Americans would listen more and forget about “hate” they would fare better. Mr Cao seems to be a gentleman, family man, educated, have a religious foundation and have some street smarts. Congrats to him and his party.
33. Hotguyg | 12.07.08
Maybe there is hope for some Democrats. How dare Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the Dem leasdership allowed Jefferson to keep his seat for the past few years. This country’s ethical standards apply only to Republicans. This William Jefferson will always represent the true Democratic Party for me. Just like William Jefferson Clinton, the ultimate example of the hypocrisy of Liberal Democrat Media Elite Complex.
34. LiberT | 12.07.08
Slim,
It took how many deaths and wasted tax dollars for Bush to see the light?
Blaze,
Emotional? That is a joke, right? People of ALL stripes voted for Hussein Obama because of the lurch away from idiocracy on both the right and the left that has plagued us for the past thirty years starting with Carter.
35. Sam | 12.07.08
I am a moderate democrat and the only republican that I hate are the corrupt ones along with the corrupt democrats. If both parties felt the way that Mr Galardi does then we are a very troubled nation. I did not vote for Bush nor like him but he was my president for 8 years and if I disagreed with him I certainly voiced it. I could not hate him but actually pitied him to be in a position that he could not handle. The next 8 years should be a healing time for the nation and the extremist on both sides would do well to keep the hate out of politics and work toward a better future for our children and grandchildren.
36. Jack P | 12.07.08
Now that this crook has been ousted from office, how about that following his conviction for various criminal offenses, we lock him up for a long time as we should do to all of the corrupt politicians.
37. Bwhip | 12.07.08
Reading all the comments entered before mine, I am really impressed and delighted with how welcoming most of the writers have been to the newly elected Mr. Cao. Regardless of party affiliation, they have concluded on the basis of what they have read about his personal history that he will be an outstanding public servant.
I am 90 years old and I never expected to live long enough to witness a choice by the citizens of Louisiana of a Republican over an ensconced crooked Democratic opponent. It is particularly heartwarming because Mr. Cao was born in Asia and knew no English when he arrived while still a youngster and subsequently pulled himself up by the bootstraps.
My hope is that the press will continue to enable the rest of the citizens of his adopted country to follow his career once he moves to Washington.
38. inde pendent | 12.07.08
There are some strong words here. Hate is usually born out of fear, which in turns comes form ingorance. It tennds to be the last gasp of someone who is unable to articulate a position. The only other postion here equally ugly is that of Holier than thou #11 a liberal Democrat. By so magnanimously offering your symapthy you appoint yourself to a position of higher moral authority?
Typical smug liberal, but that just my opinion
Congrats to Mr Cao
39. Shirley | 12.07.08
What a wonderful step forward for Louisiana to replace Jefferson with a man who has the potential to help combat the continuing corruption often found in Louisiana politics. Having been born in Louisiana and witnessing some of the most corrupt administations, I am totally shocked and thrilled to see Cao win his seat. Although I am a democrat, even more, I am a person that would love to see our country once again renew its commitment to the views that made our country great. There is too much hate based on stereotyping groups of people in negative ways. Respect for different ideas and the opportunity to examine these ideas vigorusly in a positive environment is what makes our country strong. If we ever needed to work together for effective “non-partisan” solutions developed by honorable people, the time is now!
40. Andrew | 12.07.08
This article doesn’t mention once William Jefferson’s party!
It seems to me that most articles which include scandal only include “R-GA” when its a republican. When a democrat is involved in a scandal they are simply referred to as a congressman, no party. When a democrat is involved the story is barely reported come to think of it!
41. Blazestop | 12.07.08
Liber T,
Thats right …emotional. If it were not for the masses of under educated, overly emotional urban voter plantation dwellers that have been reprocreating with abandonment….. Barack would not have stood a chance.
42. Steve Shea | 12.07.08
I am a Vietnam veteran (1967-68) and I am delighted that a Vietnamese American former refugee has been elected to Congress. Since his family knows first hand what it is like to be abandoned by a promise breaking American government, I look forward to following Mr.Cao’s career. Keep the b a s t @ r d s honest, sir. And never forget how your predecessor broke his trust with his constituents and all of the American people. It won’t be hard for you to set a better example.
43. Coonie in SC | 12.07.08
William Jefferson would have been re-elected….. if only this election had taken place on the same day that all the blacks were already at the lined up to vote for Obama.
As it turned out, his core constituency couldn’t be bothered to make a special trip back to the polls vote for this felon.
44. Scott Smith | 12.07.08
Congratulations to Mr. Cao and to Louisiana for stepping away from the obviously corrupt.
I’m hopeful now. I supported McCain but feel very positive about Obama and the practical mood of the nation. Remember, we elect the government and generally we get what we ask for. We have not chosen wisely over the last few years.
The Practical appears to be winning now over the dogmatic. Thank you all!
45. Vincent | 12.07.08
Interesting that the election was so close, considering the facts. It’s remarably similar to Ted Stevens re-election bid for Senate in Alaska. Corrupt is corrupt, and until the majority of people won’t accept that, we should continue to expect more corrupt politicians. It was 53/47 here in LA, and just about 50/50 in AS. How bad do you have to be to have the party core and it’s constituents reject corruption?
Congratulations Mr. Cao. Things are looking up in LA, despite the shockingly narrow margin.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Daryl Atamanyk | 12.07.08
You watch this man: he issues forth from the people… he knows it… and he won’t forget it in serving them. It’s just like what happened with Obama.