Rick Boucher Regrets Selling Out Constituents … NOW

September 1, 2009 by Cato  
Filed under Energy, Liberalism, Virginia, Virginia Politics

Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) seems to be regretting his decision to sell out his constituents in Virginia’s “Fighting Ninth”.  Like so many Democrats representing moderate / conservative districts, Boucher seems to be trying the old Frank Church / Birch Bayh bait and switch – vote like the lefty you are in DC while telling the folks back home that you are “fighting for their best interests”.  Boucher has actually been pretty successful at this trick ever since he was elected in 1982.

Unfortunately for Boucher, he voted for “cap and tax”.  That doesn’t play well in most places due to the prospect of rising energy costs.  Now imagine that coal mining is the leading industry in your district.

According to Boucher:

“I voted for it because I had to do that to be part of the process and to make the changes that have been made,” Boucher said of the bill that passed by a seven-vote margin in the House and is now being considered by the Senate…

Like his “Blue Dog” pal, Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD), Boucher must really believe that the folks back home are rubes of the first order.  This response is very similar to Kratovil’s reasoning for voting for PORKULUS – after her voted against it.

It works like this – Boucher has to vote against the best interests of his constituents so that he “can have a seat at the table”.  Given that this bill could well be the most important vote that Boucher ever has, or will, cast for the voters of Virginia’s 9th District, what is more important?  Maybe Boucher wants a road or building named after him and needs support in the House for that.