Bass and the GOP leadership, continued

Congressman Charlie Bass voted with the Republican leadership Friday on a $50 billion budget-cutting bill, which passed the House 217-215.  In doing so, he voted along with the majority of "Kerry Republicans," Republican congressmen who represent districts that John Kerry won in the 2004 presidential race.   All together, there are 18 such districts. 

Of those 18, two-thirds voted with the Republican leadership.  Bass was the only "Kerry Republican" in New England to vote with the GOP leadership.  His counterparts in Connecticut -- Rob Simmons (2nd District), Christopher Shays (4th District), and Nancy Johnson (5th District) -- all voted against the bill. 

In 2004 voters in NH 02 voted for Kerry by a margin of 52 percent to 47 percent.