Delegate Chris Peace had no problem posturing as a Tea Party guy when it suited him.
Touting their praise on Facebook and speaking at Tea Party rallies.
But when push came to shove Peace turned his back on them and cast the vote that might end his career.
Del. Peace is under fire for pushing Obamacare expansion in Virginia
Tea Party activists were furious when Delegate Peace announced his support for Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion.
But the Republican delegate ignored their cries and pressed forward.
According to Peace, he was happy to vote for Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion despite backlash from members of his own party.
Now Tea Party members are taking action like erecting signs reading “THE PEACE BETRAYAL!”, attacking the delegate for voting with the Democrats.
“We would love to Cantor him. That’s a verb isn’t it?” Patrick Henry Tea Party Patriots activist Bob Keeler told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Other activists have referred to Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion as a step closer to single payer, or socialized medicine.
Peace, however, referred to the expansion as a proper role of government despite stark conservative resistance.
“I do know there are a lot of people in this district who are very upset with Chris Peace” exclaimed Craig Disesa, president of The Middle Resolution.
Despite the turbulence and the program’s hefty expense, Peace thinks his vote will end up winning him support.
But Peace is running as a Republican in a ruby-red district.
And with the grassroots kicking up a storm, Peace may have just signed his political death warrant.
GOP insiders are already wary since this is the largest expansion of government in Virginia History.
And because this program was passed in the annual budget, Peace’s vote also gave the thumbs-up to funding Planned Parenthood with taxpayer dollars.
Conservatives most often oppose abortion providers like Planned Parenthood which not only perform abortions on unborn children, but also donate money to liberal candidates and causes.
Voting against the Pro-Life community will hurt his re-election chances, but Peace is confident he can explain his vote before the Republican Primary vote next June.
He reasoned that his friends and family gave him a warm reception and expects that the voters will support him as well, dismissing the Tea Party’s attacks.
“I think they’re still fighting ghosts. They’re still mad about Obama,” Peace told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. “We’re into the future now. And we’ve got to figure out a way forward.”
But Peace’s self-assurance may not be so justified.
More Republicans Under Fire for Obamacare Expansion Vote
Bob Thomas, another Republican Delegate who voted with Peace and the Democrats, has already picked up a Primary challenger.
Paul Milde announced his run by declaring Thomas was “breaking faith” with the GOP.
“It is not possible to be a conservative and support Obamacare” Milde explained.
What do you think?
Are Republicans in danger for pushing Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion?
Or will Primary voters reward them for the move?
Let us know in the comments section below.