On an otherwise slow news day, I particularly enjoyed reading about Rep. Ciro Rodriguez getting himself in a tussle with his leadership. I pointed out yesterday the heart-to-heart he had with Pelosi shortly before the vote:
In the back of the chamber, Pelosi had an intimate conversation with Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-Texas), with the Speaker seeming to emphasize her points with her pointed fingers.
Their conversation ended with Pelosi giving Rodriguez a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Next time Rodriguez sees Pelosi, he is unlikely to get a smooch.
Rodriguez had told leadership that he was a likely yes — but then cast a quick “no” vote and practically sprinted from the chamber, frustrating floor managers whose shouts of “Rodriguez!” rang through the House as the final anxious votes were cast.
At one point, New York Rep. Anthony Weiner bounced from a huddle of leadership members and began calling the rep’s name, like a wayward toddler, as he scanned the Speaker’s lobby and the adjacent balcony.
“He cast his no and then ran the hell out of there,” said a member of the whipping team, still steaming after the vote. “We tried him at his office and they said he was gone.”
Lucky for Pelosi, she had the votes she needed. Rep. Patrick Kennedy left rehab to push the climate bill through.