GOP keeps pressure on Ohio Dem to vote 'no' on healthcare

Republicans are pressuring Rep. John Boccieri (D-Ohio) to again vote "no" on the Democrats' healthcare legislation.

"You know, the truth of it is I'm hoping that he does vote against it, because he needs to address the will of the people in the 16th district," businessman Jim Renacci, the freshman Democrat's expected GOP challenger, said on a conference call Monday. "My concern is that now he's talking as though he's going to vote for it."

Boccieri is still classified as a "no" vote in The Hill's healthcare whip count because he recently told Foxnews.com: "I'm not afraid to cast a tough vote and I'm not afraid to stand up to leadership in doing so."

Boccieri's office said the congressman is "officially undecided."

Still, Renacci has pressed the suggestion that Boccieri is going to switch his vote, even using the claim in a recent radio ad. "Once again, John Boccieri is demonstrating that his loyalty lies not with the people of the 16th district, but with Nancy Pelosi and the far left," he said in the spot.

On Monday, Renacci insisted that healthcare will remain an issue in the 16th district race -- even if Boccieri again votes against the bill.

"Congressman Boccieri might vote against it and healthcare may still pass," Renacci said. "It's a concern of the people in this district. I'm looking to represent the people in the 16th district and any healthcare bill which becomes a government takeover of healthcare will be a problem if you represent the people of the 16th district."

How much of a problem it will turn out to be remains to be seen. Boccieri, who captured the GOP-leaning seat with a 10-point victory in 2008, was one of 39 Democrats that opposed the bill in November. President Obama is in Strongsville, Ohio Monday making a pitch for healthcare reform. The event is in Rep. Betty Sutton's (D-Ohio) district -- she voted "yes" to the House healthcare bill.