What tact; what political persuasion; what leadership -- The Czar: If you don’t do what I’m telling you to do, I will have your board seat in January.

We all knew about the fierce political infighting that went on regarding the selection of the new Department of Transportation commissioner.

Gov. Perdue and Lt. Gov. Casey House Speaker Glenn Richardson -- who supported Gena Abraham -- prevailed by one-vote margin over House Speaker Richardson -- who was supported Vance Smith (R - Pine Mountain), chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

Today the AJC's Political Insider reports that Ariel Hart — the AJC transportation writer — had a conversation with one of the two vulnerable board members — DOT board chairman Mike Evans.

According to Hart, Evans said the speaker had personally warned him to vote his way: “He said if you don’t do what I’m telling you to do I will have your board seat in January,” the DOT commissioner said.