#4
Anh “Joseph” Cao
In Vietnamese, “Cao” means “tall.” At 5-foot-2, the Republican congressman might not be living up to his name, but he has managed to stand out from the crowd.
A former seminary student, Cao got his law degree at Loyola University in New Orleans, the city where he now lives with his wife and two daughters.
In 2008, he ran for a New Orleans House seat against William Jefferson, a black nine-term incumbent in a largely Democratic and African-American district. Obama’s presidential campaign was running parallel, and for a time it didn’t look like Cao had a fighting chance.
Luckily for Cao, Jefferson was indicted on bribery and conspiracy charges. And, thanks to the late-season hurricane, the election was moved back to December. Voter turnout dropped dramatically, and Cao won. (He was dubbed “the accidental congressman.”)
“Mr. Cao Goes to Washington” headlines were everywhere. In post-election interviews, Cao, who emigrated from Vietnam when he was eight, admitted he’d never heard of the Bush-era tax cuts or the House’s committee system. But since then, he’s made his positions clear.
“In D.C. he’s working hard to represent his constituency, meaning he’s voting with the Democrats,” said Thomas Langston, a political science professor at Tulane University. “If he weren’t deeply conservative on social issues he could just switch parties and, possibly, keep his job. Ironically, that would make him seem less brave and less outstanding.”
Cao supported legislation from Obama 69 percent of the time—more than any House Republican. He was the only Republican to support the House health-care bill. Among House Republicans, only Ron Paul and John McHugh voted less with the GOP.
His reputation as a maverick was solidified when he spoke out against the BP oil spill, telling its president, Lamar McKay, “During the samurai days, we would just give you a knife and ask you to commit hara-kiri.”
His main efforts have been toward post-Katrina issues. He has reorganized the local FEMA office and introduced a bill asking for private utilities to receive federal funding after natural disasters, which would protect consumers against rate hikes. He has also appealed to have FEMA forgive disaster loans given to New Orleans following the hurricane.
“Cao is honest, smart, and hard-working,” Langston said. “He’s also a guy with a big heart, who went into law to help people instead of just to make a living.”
In what’s expected to be a tough round of elections for Democrats, Cao might be the most vulnerable Republican. Up against Cedric Richmond, a wildly popular African-American Democrat, his re-election is almost as unlikely as the election that put him in congress in the first place.
Man-to-Man with Anh Cao
Can one be both a good man and a good (i.e., effective) politician?
Yes, a person can be both, but in this day and age of partisan politics it can be difficult. When one speaks of a “good” man, there are several characteristics that come to my mind: a) honesty, b) compassion, and c) determination.
Throughout history, we have seen many “good” people who possessed these characteristics: Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Abraham Lincoln. These characteristics, when combined with the ability to listen to the other side and be open to others’ opinions, to compromise except when core moral principles are involved, to work with one’s colleagues, and to convey messages that will help the public to understand one’s position, will make one both a “good” man and an effective politician.
If you were making a list of politicians you respect for both their integrity and their dedication to the ideas they believe in, what man—from a party other than your own—would you be sure to put on the list? And why?
One politician who I would definitely place on a list of those I respect for both their integrity and dedication to their values is my House colleague, Dan Lipinski, Democrat of Illinois. Congressman Lipinski’s integrity was put to the test in the debate on health-care reform. He was under enormous pressure from the Democratic Party to vote in favor of the Senate-approved bill, and although he strongly believes reform is needed to lower soaring health-care costs and make insurance coverage more affordable and accessible for individuals and working families, he had serious reservations about the version of the bill that came to us from the Senate.
He was particularly concerned about its lack of protection against expanded federal funding for abortion, which he opposes on moral grounds. Ultimately, Congressman Lipinski stayed true to his conscience, resisted partisan pressure, and voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I admire and respect his political courage.
You are the first Vietnamese American to serve in the U.S. Congress, as well as the first Republican to serve in your district since 1890. What has either of those experiences taught you about fitting in?
Being the first Vietnamese-American Congressman and the first Republican to serve in the Second District of Louisiana since Reconstruction has very little to do with my ability to be accepted by my colleagues as well as my constituents. I think the basic principles that undergird a good moral person, combined with the ability to be friendly and work with others, have enabled me to fit in both on the Hill and in the District. And beyond morality and cordiality, there is the element of hope. It unites us all and enables us to embrace each other as individuals engaged in a common pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
We believe that a good man owns up to his mistakes. Tell us about a time when you fell short of “goodness,” however you define it.
Because of the demands of this job and the amount of time they require, it is difficult for me to be the best husband and father to my two daughters. Before, I would have time to be home more with my wife and do homework with my daughters, to take them to the park, and be present for them in every aspect of their lives. That is no longer possible, which is a source of frustration for me, but also humility—because I know that I am a being of limitations and must rely on the help of others, as well as my faith, to make sure and hope that all things will turn out well.
The Top-10 Good Men Politicians
10) Mitch Daniels
8 ) Mark Strama
6) Jeff Flake
5) Al Franken
3) Cory Booker
2) Paul Ryan
1) Carl Levin
Maggie Thatcher is the only good politician I know of. The reason is that she is dead. Alive, she was a feminine version of Hitler only worse. Now she is were all politicians should be, in hell.
They promise us a better world yet when they are elected they turn their backs on us and sell out to the ruling people with power. It will never change unless we start to fight for what is rite instead of just letting it happen and hope it will be better tomorrow.
You left off the two Oregon Senators and the congressman from Seattle Jim McDermott.
Look up quotes of Boris Johnson. He is better than all of these.
Why the HELL is Ron Paul not on this list? You ppl r crazy!! He should be at the TOP!!
Paul Ryan’s “Roadmap” is a trumped-up plan to facilitate further corporate take-over. When all is said and done, we can vote who gets put in power in the government. We can’t vote on CEOs. I would rather pay my taxes to the government with all its flaws (and even corporate influences) than give more power to big money. And what is with Flake? I am so glad to see someone speaking up about the earmarks, but I think his politicizing of the funding of scientific research mars that. Now we need someone more vocal in defense of honest science than… Read more »
I actually got excited about his website, until I saw Paul Ryan on this list. This is a joke, isn’t it? Paul Ryan? this guy doesn’t have one ounce of integrity in his whole body. Paul Ryan is, excuse my language, the biggest corporate prostitute that has ever existed. He is a complete sold out. He gets his marching orders from the Koch brothers, and those orders are all about destroying the fabric of this great nation: the middle class. Guess what, no middle class = No Democracy. How can you put someone on this list who champions tyranny? You… Read more »
This list is baffling in its inconsistency.
Part of being a good man is showing self-awareness, and the fortitude to live according to one’s convictions – regardless of personal difficulty. Paul Ryan fails this test.
Ryan rose to his current position thanks to the welfare state; specifically Social Security, upon which he attended college.
He advocates for the others an Ayn Rand-inspired level of self-sufficiency, the dismantling of this social safety net.
IOTW: “I got mine – f*ck you”.
This list is now painfully dated, with the revelation about Ryan’s taste in wine and drinking buddies.
How you missed Ron Paul, the most consistent, principled and honest politician of his era, or arguably of any era is beyond me.
Think what you will of his politics, but his candor, his respectful dialogue and his refusal to bend to the powers that be in the name of liberty are second to none.
Interesting that the two single politicians who prohibit the initiation of force and fraud in their politics are absent from the list. From the time of Confucius, all societies have followed this “golden rule”, (outside of government), until their governments based on force and fraud have destroyed the society, usually by murdering millions of innocent civilians in conquest or democide. Jeff Flake, one of the better people on your list, supported protectionist legislation that put non-cartel dairy farmers out of business. All the other politicians are even worse than he is. Russ Feingold, for instance, pushed through “McCain-Feingold”, legislation that… Read more »
Ryan is about where he belongs though #1 would be a better ranking. I see a bunch of tantrum tossing towards Ryan for his stance on gay marriage. And most of it is phony outrage because the same people give Carl Levin a pass regarding his wishy washy stance on repealing DADT. more selective outrage from the professional leftists.
Folks, turn that anger to solving the problem. Too many of our politicians should go home.
How can we limit their terms of service to 2, but not more than 3 terms in office? This needs to be done for the good of this country.
We support their behavior by letting them stay in office. They are not entitled to a government seat for life.
3 times this screen has changed and lost my words——I agree w/Willl 100% read The Powell Memo
Carl Paladino is a “Good Man”
senator bernie sanders is without question the best person in our government today. i wouldn’t feel that i’m overestimating at all in saying that 99% of those in congress are corporate controlled stooges, and bernie is most certainly not. i am also surprised to not see senator russ feingold, the only senator to not vote for the patriot act – in doing so being alone in standing up for our civil liberties – in 2002.
I think the list would make much more sense if you explained why you included these people on the list – each individually, not as a whole – then one cold see the reasoning in it. I would like to read your response, Senator Sanders. Thank-you.
Why not Dennis Kucinich? I am suprised, also.
kucinich sold out true progressives by compromising and going back on his word by signing that atrocity of a health care “reform”.
I love what you’re doing, and needless to say, as a Vermonter I like the Bernie choice. For future consideration, take a look at our current governor, Jim Douglas, who despite being a Republican – is a good man. But my main point……….. you are totally out of your tiny liberal mind to not include our president on your list. I won’t even bother to enumerate, you must have a brain somewhere in there.
No Dennis Kucinich? One of the few who is unbiased…and does not need a speechwriter because he speaks from the heart!
With some of your pollsters, I am surprised Bush/Cheney et al are not on te list!
Where is Dennis Kucinich?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????!!!!! I can’t imagine what your criteria could be but as a citizen in Jeff Flake’s district I can tell you that he DOES NOT meet my definition of a good man. This man could not care less about his district! In the time I’ve lived in AZ I’ve never heard from him, despite my repeatedly contacting his office. When I complained to his office that he never acknowledges my comments I got a form letter. He has done nothing, and I mean NOTHING for this district. He serves only his corporate overlords. He is in every… Read more »
I was about to leave the same post almost word for word! I live in his district and he only serves one thing… his agenda and his religious beliefs…
I’m shocked – in fact I laughed out loud when I saw his name on this list!!
Dennis Kucinich – Good Guy
Goodmen Project:
put me on local fox about the growing problem of gender bias in the courts, children are being hurt an destroyed because the system wont listen to good men and women are over protected ….
How can Paul Ryan possibly be considered a Good Man when he actively encourages prejudice against gay men and women? He cares not for anyone who is not an extreme right wing evangelical Christian and the right of corporations over the good of his fellowman. By no definition, is this man a Good Man.
nonsense
I’m glad someone thinks as highly of Carl Levin as I do. I am proud of my Michigan senators. They have consistently shown themselves to be team players, not trying to screw over others for their own benefit.
Carl Levin fights for what he believes is right and practicable, and that’s what I want in a representative. He also gives a very well reasoned speech. It’s nice (and a very odd feeling) to have someone Michigan can be proud of.
Including Al Franken on this list pretty much invalidates the rest of the list as Al fails miserably at most of the criteria. Far from being respectful and trying to work with his political opposites, he belittles them every time he is left in charge of the house. Being from Michigan, I concur with putting Carl Levin on top of the list for being a good man. However, he has a completely undistinguished legislative record and basically has taken up space for several decades. Additionally, Michigan has been on of the top 2 tax donor states during Carl’s entire tenure… Read more »