GOP pulled no punches in struggle for Medicare bill http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak27.htmlNovember 27, 2003
BY ROBERT NOVAK SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST
During 14 years in the Michigan Legislature and 11 years in Congress, Rep. Nick Smith had never experienced anything like it. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, in the wee hours last Saturday morning, pressed him to vote for the Medicare bill. But Smith refused. Then things got personal.
Smith, self term-limited, is leaving Congress. His lawyer son Brad is one of five Republicans seeking to replace him from a GOP district in Michigan's southern tier.
On the House floor, Nick Smith was told business interests would give his son $100,000 in return for his father's vote. When he still declined, fellow Republican House members told him they would make sure Brad Smith never came to Congress. After Nick Smith voted no and the bill passed, Duke Cunningham of California and other Republicans taunted him that his son was dead meat. ----snip----
Intense pressure, including a call from the president, was put on freshman Rep. Tom Feeney. As speaker of the Florida House, he was a stalwart for Bush in his state's 2000 vote recount. He is the Class of 2002's contact with the House leadership, marking him as a future party leader.
But now, in those early morning hours, Feeney was told a ''no'' vote would delay his ascent into leadership by three years -- maybe more.===========
how many others (Dem and repug) were intimidated or were offered
BRIBES? isn't this ILLEGAL????
ummmm...maybe this is ok to do because it's all part of doing "bidness"????
on the other hand - silly me - I forgot that repugs are above rules, law and common decency.... :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: 
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