Rep.-elect Anh "Joseph" Cao tries to crack black caucus

[Sgent]

Source: New Orleans Times Picayune

WASHINGTON -- Anh "Joseph" Cao beat long odds when he defeated Rep. William Jefferson to win a seat in Congress.

His bid to join the Congressional Black Caucus might be even more difficult.

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Cao has not formally approached the caucus about joining. After his election to represent a district that is more than 60 percent African-American, Cao was asked whether he would be interested in joining the Congressional Black Caucus. He answered "yes, " reasoning that it would be good for him, for his constituents and for his district. He said he also accepted an invitation to join the Congressional Asian-Pacific Islander Caucus, which is open to anyone who is of Asian-Pacific Island descent, represents a large Asian constituency or is simply interested.

Read more: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/cao_tries_to_crack_black_caucu.html

[420inTN]

1. Good luck. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) tried to join the Black Caucus

but they wouldn't have anything to do with the Caucasian Jew, even though he represents a district that is mostly African-American.

[marshall]

2. Each caucus has its own membership standards, I guess

The Asian-Pacific Islander is open to anyone who is either of that ethnicity or represents that ethnicity. The Black Caucus appears to be more selective in who they allow in, as is their right.

[hughee99]

3. You could say it's the "Augusta National" of caucuses. n/t