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Group asks Justice Department to investigate alleged bribe attempt in Medicare vote
SF Gate ^ | December 04, 2003 | AP

Posted on 12/05/2003 12:34:27 PM PST by FirstPrinciple

Edited on 04/13/2004 2:45:06 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

The Justice Department said Thursday it would review complaints from political watchdog groups that Republican House leaders tried to bribe Rep. Nick Smith, R-Mich., to vote for a Medicare bill.

Smith voted against the bill despite what he described as threats against his son, Brad Smith, who is running for the House seat his father is vacating next year.


(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: armtwisting; bribery; corruption; gop; medicare; michigan; nicksmith
It gets curiouser and curiouser.
1 posted on 12/05/2003 12:34:28 PM PST by FirstPrinciple
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To: FirstPrinciple
despite what he described as threats against his son

they threatened to support other GOP candidates for the seat

When someone talks about "threats against his son", the image is completely different from "supporting other GOP candidates".

Yes, it is presure politics. I don't consider such "threats" surprising or alarming.

As for the bribe aspect of the story, all pork spending can be considered a bribe. Offering seats on a committee is also valuable and can be considered a bribe by this definition.

The whole story is a Democratic attack for political gain.

2 posted on 12/05/2003 1:09:20 PM PST by Tai_Chung
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To: Tai_Chung
If I recall correctly, didn't the Democrats "threaten" the "beam me up Scotty" former congressman from Ohio?
3 posted on 12/05/2003 1:45:41 PM PST by RightWingConspirator (Glad that neither Ted nor Hillary are my senators.)
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To: Tai_Chung
The whole story is a Democratic attack for political gain.

Funny, seeing as it was Mr. Smith (R) who came forward with the story in the first place...

I was proud of him until he backed off on his statements.

4 posted on 12/12/2003 8:50:27 AM PST by fod
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