Pelosi questions Republican tactics in CAFTA win

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives' top Democrat accused Republicans on Thursday of possibly illegal action to encourage some Democrats to vote for a free-trade pact with Central America.
The House voted 217-215 in favor of the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, early on Thursday morning, with 15 Democrats joining 202 Republicans in support.

At a briefing hours later, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, complained that deals offered by House Republicans to win CAFTA made the House seem like the "set of 'Let's Make a Deal,"' referring to a TV game show.

Some Democrats were made offers that they said they didn't think "passed legal muster," Pelosi told reporters.

She refused to provide any details of who was involved and what was offered that might have been illegal. She also said the deals were hard to prove because they weren't consummated.

But "those who have more knowledge" and were directly involved might file a complaint with the House's ethics committee, Pelosi said.

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=9206639&src=rss/ElectionCoverage

[Ksec]

1. I heard the Bushpigs threatened chairmanships and offered pork

They had a piece on Lou Dobbs.

Arent making threats illegal?

[meganmonkey]

2. Oooh la la, despite the 'refusal' to provide details on Pelosi's part

I doubt she would make a public statement without something to back it up!

[cornermouse]

3. Republicans have no ethics and democrats have too many

who are willing to literally sell out. Its a winning combination for Bush.

[kohodog]

9. er, ethics are generally in short supply in DC.

It's just that the righteous Republicans are so righteous they can do no wrong. And we only needed 2 of the 13 dems to vote no. Wonder what will be under their christmas trees?

[gizmo1979]

4. This was a demonstration of power mad

repuglicans winning at all costs.Paying two of your constituents to stay away?Little pork here a little pork there.This shows how far out of touch they really are with the people they are suppose to represent.

[wli]

5. this House of Representatives vote brought to you by Diebold

[gratuitous]

6. Gee Nancy, why so shocked?

It's not like the Republicans haven't done exactly this little scenario before, you know. Keeping the voting open for an extra long time, threats, bribes, and out-and-out fraud are what the Republicans do to pass bad legislation. Where's the minority whip to keep your people in line, and to tell them that whatever the Republicans are promising, they aren't going to come through with.

[Buns_of_Fire]

7. Really. It's not as if they didn't do it before.

The House began debating the bill Friday and began voting at 3 a.m. yesterday. The voting usually last between 15 minutes and half an hour while members come to the chamber and record their votes.

But an hour into the Medicare vote, Republicans were losing, 216-218, and simply refused to gavel the vote closed until they swung enough votes to win. Top Republicans and Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson prowled the floor for two hours, until they convinced some Republicans to change their votes.

Arm-twisting wins 220-215 Medicare vote
(I know, it's the Washington Times, but it sums it up nicely.)

[AlGore-08.com]

8. Gee, does that mean the Dems who voted for it were BRIBED?

:crazy: