It's getting nasty out there

Political, too.

This from Politico.com's Jonathan Allen and Patrick O'Connor:

'As health care lobbying heats up, some members are getting calls from President Barack Obama, like the three Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) got in the past two weeks. 'He believes that the economy will turn around, that people will be in a better position to judge the effects of this bill later on, that while it may not be a politically popular vote today, a year or two or three from now, it will be viewed as something the American people want,' said Altmire, who voted no last time on health reform but is undecided now. Others in the House said the lobbying can be much less friendly.

'Aides to conservative Democratic lawmakers describe intense pressure tactics, including one who said his office has received calls from donors. Those calls are taken as a thinly veiled threat to withhold future financial support if the member doesn't vote as the donor wishes. 'We're having donors, even donors outside of our district, that are being called and asked to urge support' for the bill, said a senior aide to one conservative Democrat, who indicated the tactics could backfire on the health care bill. 'If you want to play Chicago-style politics, and that's what this is, then we will come out firmly against it.