Cao's fundraising lags peers
by Jonathan Tilove - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, R-New Orleans, raised $143,470 in campaign funds the first quarter of this year, less than the other two freshman Republican members of Congress from Louisiana. Cao was left with $60,526 cash on hand at the end of March.

The numbers are not going to send chills through potential opponents, but Ruth Sherlock, the South Carolina consultant who serves as Cao's campaign manager, said plans are just getting started for online and direct-mail fundraising.

Cao benefited from a fundraiser in New Orleans on his behalf attended by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on March 16, and another in Metairie attended by House Minority Leader John Boehner on March 27.