I would make a few observations about the great insights that run through this thread, for what my humble observations are worth:

Geary's offensive comment about "your kind of people" coming out to this "clean" country is purely an insult to Italians. Clearly he does not mind taking bribes from Nevada natives, or for that matter jews from Miami. He just does not want "outsiders" kiving there, as Michael did. The ethnic slur is clear when he defines Mihael's kind not as being corrupt but as people who wear shiny silk suits and who have oily hair.

Michael's response to Geary is not at all what Vito would have done. Vito would have handled it more like he handled Solozzo. "Senator, I agreed to see you because you are a powerful man who is to be treated with respect, but my answer is no. I can pay the $20,000 licensing fee, and this bribery business is dangerous at the Federal level when casinos are involved. Not that I care you enhance your Senate salary, mind you, but this direct bribery business is a little dangerous. So my no is final, and as long as your path doesn't cross mine, our business is finished."

Clearly Coppola wanted to make his own point about both men being a part of the "same hypocricy" do there was some license there, but the rest of Michael's reaction was pure Michael.

Although Michael had Vito's cunning, he also had a good deal of Sonny's temper (although not as bad). There are several instances where he loses it, and this was one. He did not need to lecture Geary the way he did, or tell him that HE had to put up the money. Vito would have seen to it that he did in the long run, but for the short term, he would have kept quiet.

One thing about that scene I never got was why a nited States Senator would allow all those witnesses to be in a room in which he says "I intend to squeeze you," so blatantly.