Sound Politics Public Blog: Hey look! A scandal

May 25, 2010

Hey look! A scandal

It's in plain sight, but since it involves the Obama administration, there's little mainstream media curiosity. Joe Sestak was offered something, most likely a job, in return for dropping out of the Pennsylvania senate race. Sestak has admitted this fact. This is of course, illegal.

"I was offered a job, and I answered that," Sestak said. "Anything that goes beyond that is for others to talk about."

Some think, based on this interview, that the job was Secretary of the Navy, which would be impossible to offer without Obama's knowledge. This is an impeachable offense.

Like normal, Gibbs has provided nothing except denials of wrongdoing. Considering the exorbitant time and effort spent investigating who leaked the identity of Langley desk agent at the CIA during the previous administration, perhaps the media can devote just a little time investigating this crime? Sestak needs to be questioned until he reveals who offered him the job and what was expected in return. Then, the Most Ethical Congress in History (tm) should subpoena that person.

Posted by Palouse123 at May 25, 2010 10:34 AM | Email This

Comments

1. Perhaps it's starting to get some traction. When even the New York Times (!) has posted a critical article on the Obama administration stonewalling this, it should get your attention.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/us/politics/25baker.html?hp

Posted by: Palouse on May 25, 2010 03:28 PM

2. Illegal?...Where are the Penalties for such action? When, has anybody ever been held accountable?

Lets get Real!...Joe Sestak was Instructed to Leak that he was offered a Gratuity/Job if he were to drop out. Why? The reason is twofold. It allows Joe Sestak to sound Noble and Honest by not taking the offer and also, the DNC wants it to be known that it will protect, support and provide for any GOP Politician who wishes to crossover to the Democrat Party. They want it to be known that they did everything they could to protect and support the turncoat Arlen Specter. Yes, it is to the advantage of the DNC to have the MSM give this some coverage to get the word out there.

Posted by: Daniel on May 26, 2010 09:14 AM

3. @2 Except, it didn't work. Spector lost the primary.

And if what Sestak says is true (no reason to believe it isn't), someone in the Obama administration will be facing federal criminal charges. That's not good press coverage.

Posted by: Palouse on May 26, 2010 10:11 AM

4. Palouse...Sestak was never offered a job to drop out to begin with. The whole thing is a Scam! It's a Game-play to create the Illusion and give Sestak the opportunity of pretending to be a Noble, Honest fellow. It's all about Political Strategy. Plus, it sends the message that the DNC will support and protect the Turncoats. This is needed to insure any future Turncoats that they are not committing Political Suicide by crossing over to the Democrat Party. Again, the whole thing is and was a planned leak and Scam.

Lets face it, we are dealing with the Democrat Party, the Party of Liars. As far as anybody being charged, there will be no proof because, it didn't happen. Such a Deal!

Posted by: Daniel on May 26, 2010 10:42 AM

5. Sestak was never offered a job to drop out to begin with.

If that's true, Sestak flat out lied to the American people several times and then Toomey wins easily. Net gain, Republicans.

Posted by: Palouse on May 26, 2010 11:25 AM

6. Unfortunately, a good percentage of the American public is made up of Liberals. Liberals, being Liars themselves, do not take insult when, a fellow Liberal Politician Lies. Lets pray to God, that the backlash from Obama's insane and criminal deficit spending will sink Sestak's efforts of being elected.

Posted by: Daniel on May 26, 2010 08:38 PM

7. What law is violated by offering a job in such a circumstance?

It is unethical, yes, but illegal? I would need to see the relevant law.

Posted by: pudge on May 27, 2010 08:30 AM

8. Jeebus you wingnuts are stupid!

Here's just one for St. Ronny:

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2010/5/27/14524/8364/278#c278

[11/26/1981 - Ocala Star Banner; SI Hayakawi opts not to take job offered to quit CA Sen race]

Posted by: Vern Rutter on May 27, 2010 10:08 AM

9. @8 Hey look over there! Let's justify illegal acts by pointing to illegal acts by dead presidents!

Do you have anything else to offer, or is this your best response to this issue?

Posted by: Palouse on May 27, 2010 11:12 AM

10. pudge, if he was offered a job in return for not running, it falls under Title 18, U.S.C. Section 595, which says:

Whoever, being a person employed in any administrative position by the United States … uses his official authority for the purposes of interfering with, or affecting the nomination of, or the election of any candidate for office of President, Vice President, Presidential elector, Member of the Senate, Member of the House of Representative…shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Posted by: Palouse on May 27, 2010 11:37 AM

11. @10 Palouse on May 27, 2010 11:37 AM,

Then based upon your reading of Title 18 you would agree that Obama and the senate Democrats were in violation when they attempted to affect the nomination of Specter as a Democrat back in April 2009 they persuaded Specter to switch from Republican to Democrat... right?

Posted by: MikeBoyScout on May 28, 2010 07:26 AM

12. @11 No, I don't think so. My understanding of it is that it relates specifically to primaries and elections.

Posted by: Palouse on May 28, 2010 07:54 AM