GOP Rep. Cao Faces Recall Petition For Voting Against Stimulus

Bayou Buzz reports that Rep. Joseph Cao, the Republican who replaced scandalized Democrat William Jefferson, now faces a recall petition over his stimulus opposition by a group of ministers.

Cao had indicated that he would be voting in favor of the controversial legislation but instead voted against it.

Papers have been filed with the Office of the Louisiana Secretary of State which started the process requiring sufficient signatures to force a recall election for the office held by Representative Cao.

Rev. Toris Young, one of the leaders of the effort, said the stimulus vote was the "last straw."

Cao represents a majority African-American, and traditionally Democratic, district. However, the Times-Picayune says the ministers will have a hard time unseating him.

The Recall Anh Cao Committee faces daunting odds. The effort has 180 days from its filing Monday to gather 100,000 valid signatures from registered voters in the district -- a third of all district voters -- in order to get a recall vote. And even if they succeed at that, and voters approve the recall, it appears that Congress would not accept the result.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/19/gop-rep-cao-faces-recall_n_168403.html