This past weekend the House passed H.R. 3962 the health care reform bill.  This was a much tougher vote for some than others.  Though the pundits cite Rep. Cao of Louisiana as the sole Republican to vote for the health care bill as being courageous, we posit that it was Rep. Tom Perriello a Democrat representing the very red 5th district in Virginia who deserves the courage award.  Especially because Cao represents a majority Democrat African-American district in Louisiana thereby making his yes vote a matter of survival and conceivably completely within his own self-interest.  Perriello on the other hand, voted yes for the bill even though it is not the most popular piece of legislation amongst his very red constituents.  The 5th district in Virginia is the right leaning conservative district where Perriello unseated five-term Republican incumbent Virgil Goode by a mere 727 votes in the 2008 election.  Needless to say it was a tough vote for the freshman member and instead of voting his own self-interest Perriello voted his conscience. 

Perriello: “In the choice between solving a problem and sitting on the sidelines, I thought it was important to solve this problem.”  Perriello went further by saying   “I thought it was important to solve this problem because families are being crushed under the cost of skyrocketing premiums.”

Because of this courageous act Perriello will be vulnerable in 2010 and it is up to us to make sure that he keeps that seat.  The Congressman is holding a town hall telephone call on Thursday so if you live in the 5th District make sure that you call in a thank him for his support.  He is receiving a lot of flack from the very loud minority at the moment so voices of support from the majority will be very welcome.  We need more like him in Congress.

Also, a big thanks for NOTHING to Rep. Glenn Nye (Democratic Congressman representing the 2nd District in Virginia ).  Nye voted his self-interest and against the health care reform bill.  Apparently freshman Nye didn’t learn the lesson of Creigh Deeds.  Here it is again for those who missed it the first time.  If you do not give Democrats a reason to vote for you, meaning that in words and in votes you are no different than your GOP opponent, then Democrats will sit on there hands and their wallets in 2010.  Lets see how many of your newly found GOP friends will be knocking on doors for you next year.