Ahn Joseph Cao
Posted on 12/07/2008 2:34:47 AM PST by uglybiker
In a stunning upset, Republican Ahn “Joseph” Cao, a Vietnamese immigrant with no political experience, has defeated Democratic incumbent William Jefferson for the U.S. House of Representative’s seat of the 2nd District of Lousiana.
Ahn “Joseph” Cao will represent the 2nd District of Lousiana in the new Congressional term after defeating William Jefferson. Cao, an immigration attorney, is a newcomer to politics and will be the first person of Vietnamese descent to become a representative in Congress. His opponent William Jefferson was plagued by allegations of corruption throughout his campaign and is currently facing federal indictments related to illegal funds received from Nigerian business interests. Jefferson became notorious in Louisiana after the FBI found $90,000 in cash allegedly received as bribes in his freezer.
Though Louisiana is often mocked as a rural backwater by liberals, the state has now elected the first Indian American governor and the first Vietnamese American Congressman. Both are Republicans. Way to go, Lousiana!
Biography of Joseph Cao
Ahn “Joseph” Cao, 41 was born in Saigon, in 1967. He fled Vietnam in 1975 with his mother and two siblings when he was eight years old, and came to America as a refugee. His father, a soldier in the South Vietnamese army, was captured and imprisoned by North Vietnamese Communist forces.
Despite a disadvantaged childhood in a refugee community, Cao excelled in academics and went on to study at Baylor University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics. He went on to receive a master’s degree in philosophy at Fordham University and considered studying to become a priest before entering law school at Loyola University, where he received a J.D. in 2000.
Since receiving his law degree, he has practiced immigration law. He has also served as a board member of Boat People SOS (BPSOS), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Vietnamese American communities.
He announced his candidacy for Congress in the 2nd District of Louisiana in 2008 against Democratic incumbent William Jefferson, who was hampered by allegations of corruption and barely won the Democratic primary. Despite being relatively unknown to most voters, Cao received the endorsements of Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal and many major Louisiana newspapers. He won the election on December 6, 2008, and will be the nation’s first Vietnamese American Congressman.
He is married to Hieu “Kate” Hoang, and has two daughters named Sophia and Betsy.
bttt
Unfortunately, check the precinct stats. IN more than 100 precincts, Jefferson got over 91%, mostly 95+, so Cao got very little black vote. Cao was elected by an overwhelming white vote (40 precincts with 90+%!), and a very low black turnout. There were 150K votes in the Dem “primary” on Nov 4, and now Jefferson gets only 33K.
Interesting statistics, but bottom line, Jefferson lost. I wonder if the small black vote turnout was a decision of many not to support his re-election by not voting? Oh well.
Which explains the importance of "knock and drag" get-out-the-vote efforts in the inner cities, in which Democrats tell people that "the Republicans are going to bring back slavery."
Race doesn't seem to be a factor nowadays with American voters... with one exception.
+90% vote for Jefferson is pretty embarrassing.
Great, but is this guy another RINO?
This is great for the “party” but...this guy is an immigration attorney. I think we may have traded worse for bad.
I’ll shut up now...LOL
Further proof that low turnout favors the GOP.
I have always argued low turnout is a good sign in a republic.
Wow, those numbers suggest that Cao will be a one-term Congressman if the Demagogues get their act together enough to run a candidate for 2010 who can turn out a decent % of black voters to the polls.
Ah, well, it’s still a great victory and I hope it launches Cao to other opportunities even if he can’t hold that seat..... assuming he is reasonably conservative, and not a RINO I wouldn’t care for.
They learn by their mistakes. They forgot to call ACORN in. Bus voters to the polls. Give out free stuff.
Be prepared for more next time.
They’re already putting all their “people” in place so it’s going to be a hugh hill
to climb and I hope we’ll have what it takes to get back our country come next election.
See post #18.
I don’t understand how this relates to my post. Are you calling my comments racist?
Just curious, what does “Viet Kieu” mean?
As opposed to many here who have countless means to better themselves and won't.
My apologies if I made you feel attacked. No harm intended.
He’s Pro-Life, Pro-Gun, and for low taxes and is an unapologetic Catholic.
Hopefully, he will not be a disappoinment to Republicans as Tim Mahoney was to Democrats.
OK, no harm no foul.
Please do remember, though, that Political Asylees and others who came via other than through the normal visa process, were eligible for various resettlement assistance and monies.
So that you know, I have zero issues with those who have been a friend and, especially, those who have put their lives and their families lives at risk for us, receiving out Nations gratitude in this manner. I’ve witnessed it, first hand, in action. I appreciate them, and our Government for recognizing their contributions.
I could also be that many Jefferson supporters did not know about the Dec. 7 contest but thought Nov. 4 settled it all. They could organize and demand a new election in which they are informed where and when to vote.
Cao soounds like a conservativ and Christian - he worked with the poor - and I believe that gave him credibility with the blacks also:
“Anh “Joseph” Quang Cao, 41, was born in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, the fifth of eight children. . . At the age of eight, Joseph and two of his seven siblings arrived in the United States . . .in 1990 earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
After graduation, Joseph entered the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), finally arriving in Louisiana for the first time to begin his religious training at Grand Coteau. During his first two years in the Society, Joseph was sent by his religious superiors to various parts of the world to minister to the poor and indigent. Joseph was then sent to New Orleans in 1992 to study theology and philosophy, furthering his training for the priesthood.
He subsequently was accepted to Fordham University in New York, where he earned his Master of Arts degree in philosophy in May 1995. He returned to New Orleans to teach philosophy and ethics at Loyola University. The following year, Joseph left the Society of Jesus and taught at a local parochial school in Virginia.
While in Virginia, Joseph volunteered at Boat People S.O.S., Inc. (BPSOS) to assist poor Vietnamese in their quest for social justice and enculturation and to lobby the U.S. Congress on issues concerning civil and religious rights. He eventually became a board member of BPSOS and served in that capacity from September 1996 to March of 2002. . .
He left Waltzer & Associates to become in-house counsel for BPSOS, opening a New Orleans office seeking social and legal equity for the many refugees in the city. During his time as BPSOS in-house counsel, Joseph initiated programs to help victims of torture and to provide social and cultural developments for poor minorities.
As long as he isn’t like the Caos from The Three Kingdoms.
All jokes aside, this is a great development.
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