Hoyer wishes 'hard-headed' Coble a speedy recovery

Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.) got an unexpected cell phone call Friday from an old friend, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).

Coble had just left the hospital, where he spent two days undergoing tests after he fainted during an event and hit his head. Hoyer was calling to check up on him.

The phone rang just before a press conference, and Coble told Hoyer that his tests came back with flying colors. Hoyer couldn't help but give his old friend some grief, "I always knew you Republicans were hard-headed," he joked, "and now I have proof!"

Coble, 78, has been friends with Hoyer for more than 20 years, and his spokesman Ed McDonald said, "It's not about left or right, they're just two guys who respect each other."

As for the cause of the fall, having ruled out serious illnesses, doctors said Coble may simply have been standing in one place for too long, greeting supporters.

The Tar Heel cancelled his weekend plans in order to rest up, but as of Monday he was back in Washington for a busy legislative week.