Jobs Promised to Retiring Congressmen for Yes Vote?

"Selling your vote is as American as apple pie."








My retiring congressman, Bart Gordon, switches his vote on the health care bill and the rumors fly.


Buying the Blue Dog Democrats?

Most interesting rumor from the Hill yesterday: Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) who announced his retirement from Congress has been promised the job of NASA administrator in exchange for his vote, and Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.), another retiring Democrat, has been promised an appointment as U.S. Ambassador to NATO in exchange for his vote.

It will be interesting to note any job announcements from this Tennessee duo post-House retirement.  Both voted against passage of the House bill back in November.

plus .....

With Democratic Rep. Bart Gordon announcing his support for health reform today, Republicans began asking whether Gordon was swayed by the extra $100 million in Medicaid money the bill includes for his home state of Tennessee.

Page 67, line 13 of the reconciliation bill includes extra Medicaid money for states that don't qualify for funding now. Turns out the provision only applies to Tennessee. Hawaii, which is in a similar situation, was already  taken care of in the Senate bill. The Volunteer State was left hanging. {more}