If....IF this is true then, we have a problem, a big problem...

I agree that to believe it means believing that the White House is capable of using threats and intimidation to get what it wants. I have thought about it, and realize that I have already seen this administration do just that in more than one way. Whether it's telling the other networks to freeze Fox out of a press conference or asking citizens to rat out their neighbors by forwarding emails critical of health care reform to the White House, this administration has pulled some shady deals. The pressure from the left on Joe Liebermann and the campaign against his wife may not have been instigated by the White House, or it may have been. I simply haven't seen enough integrity out of them to not believe it. We've seen lots of money offered for votes (Mary Landrieu) and I am sure there's a lot of stimulus money that went to the districts of those who play nice with the White House. I can't really be sure that the opposite of a bribe, which is a threat, is impossible to lay at their feet. As for Senator Nelson's denial - if they threatened this over his vote, what would they threaten over disclosure of the threat? Apparently 20 Senators believe it is true and have called for an investigation. Something convinced them that it bears investigating. I think it bears investigating, too.

"It has been reported that White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanual has threatened Senator Nelson (D), Nebraska, by telling him that a strategic command base in his state cou;d wind up on the closure list down the road if he doesn't play ball on healthcare. Senator Nelson has been insisting on a provision that would prevent federal funds being used for abortions under any national healthcare plan." First, I don't see the threat here. Is it really considered a "threat" to say a base could be closed if Nelson doesn't vote the way Emanual wants him to on health care? Come on! This kind of crap has been going on for generations in U.S. politics. "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours". Palm greasing. "Playing ball". It's all the same thing and is part of politics. Nelson is "threatening" too. By insisting on his provision, he won't give Emanual what he wants and he's probably asking for something in return from somebody else to get what he wants. Is that a "threat"?!?! So what if it's a strategic command base! Do you have any idea how many U.S. military bases have closed down not only in the U.S. but worldwide? I'm sure they were all considered strategic at some point. Not being from Nebraska, I have no idea why a military base there would be considered strategic. When people talk about base closures, it's more about how it will affect the local economy. Now, before anybody starts jumping on me after viewing my profile. Yes, I live in Argentina. However, I am an American expatriate. I come from a Marine Corps background. My father was an enlisted man and did 4 (yes, FOUR) stints in Nam. My brother is currently a U.S. Marine Corps Colonel and I can't even tell you how many times he's been to Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. He even had his pic taken with McCain in Iraq. Semper Fi.

You're right, if this were true we'd have a big problem. However, I don't see much credibility in what I've read about it so far, especially since it apparently was Glenn Beck, Michele Malkin and a few other right-wing pundits/bloggers/commentators who "broke" this story and the former McCain staffer, Michael Goldfarb, who said it isn't much of a reliable source. You're right, Nelson did give in but he didn't come too cheaply from what I've heard. Annie

It is probably true X that Obama administration is playing hardball and what about that is a surprise? At that high level thats how the game is played. And at some lower levels too. Obama is not just up there for show. He is about implementing his agenda and the changing strategy the American people want. George administration and most every other administration did the same.They pkay by a hard edge set of rules.George Bush administration got rid of a whole judge crew because they would not play ball. They outed CIA agent Valrie Plane because of unfavorable comments and reports from her husband. The Obama administration hits differently and more openly as their attack on Fox News and Rush Limbaugh shows but Is it a surprise that they are playing hardball. Chief of Staff Rohm Emanuel is a hard nosed politician, he is playing for keeps. In the end Health Care will pass. During the state of the union and Obama will give a rousing speech tieing our security as a Nation to Health Care. He will say the battle is not over it is just beginning. The people who voted for president Obama are not the one counted in the polls, they are not the ones that put together alot of actions committee pacs with lobbyist and staffs. The people who voted for President Obama are not the ones who control Wall street though certainly they greatly impact it. The people who voted for President Obama still believe the he is doing what needs to be done. Certinly there have been missteps and questions. The issue of Terrorist trials in the Us lingers. However, the Fire and Steely coolness of President Obama is emerging. The Economy, Health Care, Afghanistan looms. The President remains cool in the face of fire. Polls are liers and most people know it. You can have a poll say anything if you who and how to ask.

I obviously don't know if it's true either, but in the context of what we know about politicians, this seems to be about as believable as Dubya mispronunciating a word. Emanuel and other Chicago-style politicians have long carried this type of stigma around with them, and he himself has been accused of strong-arming people before and going on expletive-rice tirades. Hot-heads blurt things out in the heat of the moment, and I don't think anyone can definitively put it past him. It's the kind of thing you expect to be true of him. But by that standard, since it does seem to be right up his alley, I wouldn't put it past someone creating it out of thin air just to see how it would fly in the mainstream. All that aside, this is what I and a lot of others fully expected politicians like these in power now to do.

Well you and I have in the past met with split ideas, and have resolved them through discussions further getting down to the agreement that suites us both. I have not been on here for awhile but not from lack of content. I have found a better way to put my thoughts out to others to understand the important truths that are covered up by everyone in government. I have uncovered allot of information that is backed up with written and videos content that proves my points. And when others who are pro republican or Democrat, come forth with blatant disrespect for people like us, meaning you and me, using all kinds of tricks to aggravate the post into a full fledged argument, just so they can get the post removed. This by the way is perpetrated by the very people in the government posing as regular Joe's, just so they can turn the truth into a conspiracy theory post, that in of its self is a way to put an ignorant twist to the post, and the post loses steam. It is well your right to post that I may be supporting a conspiracy theory, and to just go away, but at the same time cheating yourself of your right to know the truth, if I happen to be right. I do not support these types of rumors but go forth to research the idea more closely. In this sense I say that when I post about the government and how things really are, others will also have an opposite opinion, but if they did some research of the content of my posts, they could make a more accurate decision on my knowledge, instead of posting their opinions that are made out of just heresy. If you know anything about politics just from what you have been taught by some collage or school, then you know nothing that will be of any consequence to your life, and the path you will have taken would be of someone Else's ideas that were put in that establishment by some other persons opinion, and not the truth necessarily being of truth. Truth is truth, and no matter how the government twists it around can only be the truth, and will just have a different angle fry into your brain. You have to remember, that everyone that gets into the government, has to play the game that the big boys are playing or will not be in office for long. So what I am saying is "Follow the money honey" then you will find the bosses that are above the smaller fish. If you spend several hours a day like I do researching the government and politics, you would have an enormous amount of information that regular Joe's don't even comprehend, all because they believe what they hear by people who can't even prove they know the false rumors. Now that that is said and done, I will only say that anyone who takes one simple statement from one source is cheating themselves of their right to know the truth that does involve each and everyone of us. What would one person get out of a conspiracy theory? You would not get more pay, or a fancy office, or anything that has any value. But if it is something said by someone in the government, they have allot to gain by telling lies, because they get bonuses and high ranks, and power, and manipulation of the masses. This is enough reason to take it to the next level, and dig past the talk and dive into the facts that can be found if your not discouraged to not do so. This conspiracy theory was started by the very elite that for years have been guarding the hen house, from prying eyes, so the truth stays sealed by courts that are just as prejudiced as the government politicians. We can't afford to any longer ignore the fact that it really is not republicans against the Democrats any more then it is which politician is going to play the game for the people. It is really the mega rich at the top of the world populations controlling the outcome of the whole of society. It is the people against the super rich, that we should be concentrating on. We are blinded by the society and the rules that are made up by the Mega rich, that are the same powers that are above the governments of the world. All and I mean all the governments are under control of the world bank, and the lessor powers are under them and so on. They want you to believe that the governments and presidents are the problem when things get bad, but they are only the scapegoats for the higher ups, and are paid for their screen play they put on. Why are there so many more poor then rich? Because they don't have any way to fight the richest of the rich, because we signed over our rights to the rich thinking that if the rich and wealthy are so wealthy, they must have a better knowledge of how to run our lives, but in reality, they are no better then the poorest, just smarter in manipulation of the people. All this proves is we were duped a long time ago and we must now pull all the stops and fight back and take all that we have lost to these Powers and revolt. We should have a human revolution and disband all the governments and their laws, and start at the beginning of freedom, the very same freedom we come into this world with. We need self regulation and simple laws that apply to everyone. These laws were once very fair until man found ways to manipulate others with deceit and lies, and promises of prosperity. The laws I refer to are the Ten Commandments. Think about it, if we all kept the commands as law, what would be the bad thing? They would be fair to all, they would be the same for every man woman and child, they would not have any way to be manipulated by any man for his own gain. Now I ask, why would people fight the argument of using the laws of a God, instead of a man? Because then there would be a fair society under no mans control, and that is why there are so many other religions, one trying to get control of the others, for their own gain, and not simple survival, but personal gain.

I read this csrefully. Im not American, so there's no way I can relate to the Politicians involved as easily as you, or underrstand current pracrises. Is it reallky treason to make a threat like that? If it happened, it is a threat for sure, but I don't think in the Australian system it would be considered treason. I would also be very surprised if a reputable journalist faked this info; he career and reliability would be too much at risk. Thgis kind of threatening behaviour in anyone is definitely bullying & I suspect occurs with Politicians more than we realise. Your system of Government is very complicated and there are a lot of Politicians involved. The saying "Power Corrupts" is quite true and you have just given an example, if true, that therre is a great deal of serious corruption in the US government. I hope Obama gets very firm on this.

Hm, I'm not getting notifiers for you either. :-( Same comment as Lamb, reserving judgment, but could be very disturbing.

Hi! I don't think it is hard for any politician to do this type of thing, just to further their agenda. It has become so commonplace for politicians to lie, cheat, and a whole list of other things just to get what they want. I personally would not put it past any of them to do any wrong doings. They tell people what they want to hear to get elected, and then go in the opposite direction. I could see where they would go this far, and it is a shame to see this country come to this.