Blackmail-how much of a part do you think it plays in politics?

[liveoaktx]

For example, Bush has a lot to lose if the full details of his involvement with the Saudis comes out, or perhaps his paid-for-abortion in Texas, or dealings with UAE-could UAE be putting the squeeze on him because he owes them so much money, done so many favors and there's a threat to spill beans if he doesn't?

I always thought that about Tom DeLay, that he has/had the goods on other Republicans and used blackmail as a threat to get his crap through. Or Duke Cunningham and the CIA involvement.