] MCI embraced a $9.75 billion takeover bid from Qwest on
] Saturday, finally succumbing to pressure to scrap its
] lower-priced deal with Verizon.

Succumbing to pressure: got the number they couldn't walk from.

] Verizon Communications Inc. now has five business days to
] respond with an improved proposal or walk away the loser
] after a nearly three-month bidding war.

loser: $200M breakup fee

] MCI Inc. said its board of directors, after shunning
] three prior bids from Qwest Communications Inc., had
] determined that the latest offer was superior to the
] long-distance phone company's $7.5 billion agreement with
] Verizon.

$9.75B > $7.5B? Really? Every day?

] Alternatively, the New York-based phone company could
] call for an immediate vote on its deal by MCI
] shareholders, hoping that enough are fearful of Qwest's
] shaky finances and strategic outlook.

fearful of Qwest's...: are owners not investors

] Verizon, one of the nation's two biggest local and
] wireless phone companies, said in a statement Saturday it
] would consider all its options. It questioned whether
] Qwest's higher offer would be "sufficient compensation
] for the increased risks associated with completing the
] transaction and executing the business plan."

"sufficient compensation": as if the short-term owners care
more about the long-term prospects versus a $2.25B premium.
What a concept.

] However, Denver-based Qwest also sounded a note of
] distrust after being treated as a second-class suitor for
] so long, its prior offers used chiefly a lever for
] extracting more money from Verizon.
]
] "We expect MCI to build upon its declaration of
] superiority with specific acts of support, including
] expeditiously seeking regulatory approvals of a
] transaction that it considers superior and in the best
] interests of its shareowners," the statement said.

Translation: "You thought your jobs were at risk. Ha.
What jobs? Wait... If you want $$, we can bring it, but
you have to be Good Little Executives. Stall, and no
Carrot!"