In the dead of night, on a Saturday no less, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the worst piece of legislation in American history – and Anh “Joseph” Cao crossed party lines to vote for it.

This blog has said several times that when Cao is slaughtered in the 2010 elections it will not be a loss to the Republican Party. He has been worthless almost from the start, and his very election last year was a freak occurrence. No resources should be wasted in an effort to keep his congressional career alive.

This wouldn’t have been the case had Cao been of any use to the GOP in Congress. Initially, there was reason to hope he would demonstrate value – Cao voted against the Obama Porkulus bill and endured a recall petition by a cabal of black ministers in New Orleans as a result. But in June when he voted in favor of the Cap And Trade disaster along with seven other traitors to the conservative cause – after Obama apparently told him he’d campaign for his re-election! – it signalled that the Republican Party had wasted its resources in getting him elected in the first place.

Now, Cao has stabbed Republicans in the back on the second of the president’s insane legislative atrocities. He issued a statement following his vote – the only Republican vote in favor of a bill which passed, 220-215.

“Tonight, I voted to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortion and to deliver access to affordable health care to the people of Louisiana.

“I read the versions of the House [health reform] bill. I listened to the countless stories of Orleans and Jefferson Parish citizens whose health care costs are exploding – if they are able to obtain health care at all. Louisianans needs real options for primary care, for mental health care, and for expanded health care for seniors and children.

“Today, I obtained a commitment from President Obama that he and I will work together to address the critical health care issues of Louisiana including the FMAP crisis and community disaster loan forgiveness, as well as issues related to Charity and Methodist Hospitals. And, I call on my constituents to support me as I work with him on these issues.

“I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to do the business of the people. My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents.

In other words, Cao was buffaloed by Obama and bought off again. Perhaps the president reiterated his “commitment” to help Cao get re-elected, and perhaps Cao actually believed it. If so, he’s as dumb as he is short.

Cao needs to be terminated with extreme prejudice for his vote, and he needs a primary challenger. It’s all but inevitable that Cedric Richmond is going to clean the floor with whichever Republican will show up as the party’s nominee in Louisiana-2, but if we’re going to lose let’s at least lose with dignity. Let’s not go out supporting a spineless traitor pandering to left-wing special interest groups in a vain pursuit of re-election.