BART GORDON PROMISED A JOB AS NASA ADMINISTRATOR FOR A HEALTHCARE VOTE? Rand Simberg is not a Bart Gordon fan.

If true, this has at least two implications. First, the administration is willing to throw Charlie Bolden under the bus. Second, they’re also willing to throw the new plans for NASA under the bus for health care, because Gordon (who just happens to be the relevant committee chairman) has expressed skepticism about them.

There’s also a rumor that another retiring Tennessee Rep., John Tanner, has been promised a job as Ambassador to NATO. I wonder if Republicans in the Senate will interfere with appointments like this? I’d say so.

UPDATE: In an update, Simberg notes: “Gordon has announced that he is now a yes vote on the bill. FWIW. For some reason, no quid pro quos are discussed.” I think he’d be an iffy candidate for NASA Admin anyway, but this won’t help him. In fact, I suspect that anyone who changes position to favor this bill will face a lot more scrutiny in the Senate.