Keeping Score On Capitol Hill

President Obama sent a not so subtle message to Democrat Representatives that aren't toeing the party line.

At a meeting with the president Monday night, DeFazio told Obama he wanted more infrastructure spending. Without prompting, Obama immediately recalled DeFazio's vote against the president's economic stimulus bill.

"I know you think we need more for that because you voted against" the stimulus bill in February, Obama told DeFazio during a question-and-answer session with about 150 House Democrats at the Capitol.

"Don't think we're not keeping score, brother," Obama added, as other lawmakers howled with laughter.

Business Week via The Associated Press: DeFazio vote on stimulus gets Obama's attention

Later in the article, Rep. DeFazio said the President told he was "just messing with him." But you have to wonder how much of that was "messing" and how much was sending a a not so subtle message to those that do not toe the line.

And people thought President Bush had a totalitarian nature.

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I reject the cynical view that politics is a dirty business.
- Richard M. Nixon