Lock Step Voting Republicans

I am always amazed how when it comes to voting in Congress, the Republican leaders get their people to vote the way they want them to vote. How many headlines have we read in the last days about Republicans criticizing "the Surge"? There has been quote after quote from Senator Smith from Oregon or Hagel from Nebraska where they looked into the camera and told America how their conscience just won't let them send more American troops to be slaughtered. However, when it comes down to actually using that conscience for making important votes instead of sound clips somehow the conscience is nowhere to be found. (much like Graham and McCain this summer during the whole torture bill debate.)

"Everyone has their price" was Eduardo's original comment on the matter and while I agree for some of the Senators money considerations come into play I am sure there is quite a bit of "stick" from the GOP leadership along with "carrots". E. then said, "everyone has their currency" and I think that is a more accurate description. Who knows maybe Hagel has a 19 year old girlfriend that the minority leader knows about...