Why the fuck would Sestak even say the White House tried to offer him a job. What a dumbass.

[LeftyAndProud60]

The WH is even dumber for offering a job to a loud mouth. And now CNN is all over this. They're calling it a bribe.

[butterfly77]

1. because he was angry that.. obama was backing spector..

[krawhitham]

77. How dare he back the incumbent democrat, a little uppity if you ask Sestak

[IndianaGreen]

99. Specter was never a Democrat. He was an opportunist...

that by his own public admission, switched parties to "get reelected,"

Specter is on his way to the nursing home, where he belongs together with his Magic Bullet.

[and-justice-for-all]

100. How could any one here back Specter...

knowing that he was just an opportunist and could not be trusted.

Whatever Obama saw in Specter is beyond me. In short, Obama backed the wrong guy and the votes showed that.

[zipplewrath]

2. I suspect

He was trying to set himself up as some sort of "credible" underdog. "I'm such a threat they tried to get me out of the race" kinda message. Wasn't his smartest moment. Gonna be a LONG summer.

[ProSense]

3. "And now CNN is all over this. They're calling it a bribe." Really?

You'd think there would be a mention at cnn.com, anywhere.

Rick's List is on, and they're discussing BP.


What nonsense.

[LeftyAndProud60]

7. For the past 2 days, they've had segments on it. At Gibbs got hammered at the briefing 2day over it.

Sestak was on CNN after the election and was still talking about being offered something. And Issa seems to be pushing for some kind of investigation. This isn't going away.

[ProSense]

15. "This isn't going away. "

It went away long enough for him to beat Specter.

Republicans are desperate.

[DrToast]

17. Hello?!! It doesn't make HIM look bad

[ProSense]

22. OK,

it makes him look bad, but did anyone miss the 2008 primaries?

This is Republican desperation, nothing more.

[mkultra]

98. Its already gone

[DJ13]

4. They're calling it a bribe.

Its not a bribe, its business as usual in the Beltway to keep one of their own in office.

[polichick]

9. A bribe would be business as usual. nt

[saracat]

11. Yeppers.

[DJ13]

13. Good point!

[Nite Owl]

5. If they did then why should he lie about it?

I don't see the big deal of a job offer anyway, he is a talented person and maybe they wanted him in the position but he shouldn't have to cover up anything.

[DrToast]

6. Nobody asked him about it. Nobody is asking him to lie

And he shouldn't say it because it looks bad, even if it's not illegal.

[Nite Owl]

16. Maybe this WH needs to learn

to stay out of elections and leave it to the voters to decide. They were trying to appoint Spector so there would be no primary. It isn't up to them.

[Go2Peace]

95. +1

[global1]

8. Just Seems To Me That This Issue Is In Retaliation To The Rand Paul Civil Rights Issue......

kind of like - you throw this at us - we'll throw this right back at you. You stop - we stop.

This is the beltway - way.

[saracat]

10. You think he should STFU? Why? What does he owe them? They did squat for him.

[LakeSamish706]

12. No, they did less than squat they supported his rival (a former Republican, before

he was a Democrat) and that is disgusting.

[DrToast]

14. WTF is wrong with you people?

Are you really asking why a Democrat shouldn't attempt to damage the President?

[LakeSamish706]

20. Were asking why the President didn't support a real Democrat, not one that

switches parties at will just to win an election. WTF is wrong with you people that aren't calling him on this?

[DrToast]

23. That's not the topic of this thread

[LakeSamish706]

24. Your damn right it is! Sestak owes this Administration absolutely nothing,

they didn't support him and that's the bottom line here. If Sestak wants to admit that he was offered a job by the WH to get him out of the way, so be it.

[ProSense]

26. But you are not Sestak, and he is going to support the President.

And the President is going to support his candidacy for the Senate.

Your outrage isn't going to change that.

[LakeSamish706]

28. And your point is? n/t

[ProSense]

29. Pretty clear. n/t

[LakeSamish706]

30. Whatever, I have my opinion and you have yours, we'll leave it at that! n/t

[saracat]

41. Then why is everyone upset that Sestak is admitting the WH offered him an appointment to

drop out? Why does the OP say Sestak should STFU? Everything having been worked out and all?

[ProSense]

46. "Why does the OP say Sestak should STFU? "

Why the hell are you asking me?

Sestak made it clear that he supports the President, and he has the President's support. Period.

[saracat]

55. Well some think it is an issue that Setak admitted he was offered an appointment to drop out

and admitted this recently.Some feel he shouldn't have volunteered this information because it is damaging. As it could be considered an ethics violation, I can see where it might be damaging but I don't think Setak should be required to be quiet out of loyalty, which is what some are saying. And as for the support on either side, I suppose in general each support the Democrat.

[DrToast]

27. Whoosh!

That was you missing the point again.

If he's going to actively attempt to damage the President, then he shouldn't be in the party.

[saracat]

53. There ARE more important things than the President. I think those who do not

support the issues ought not to be in the party, yet they are.

[ej510]

66. Real talk!

[LeftyAndProud60]

31. It seems like some do want him to damage Obama. Him winning should be revenge enough. NT

[DrToast]

32. I think you're right

Besides, it was clear from day one that Obama was going to back Specter. And Sepcter cast a lot of important votes for the party.

[LakeSamish706]

34. Specter is just another Republican in sheeps clothing that doesn't no where he belongs.

The only real thing he ever cared about was his job and getting reelected to it.

[TheKentuckian]

47. This came out forever ago. He hadn't won so this is not about revenge

Its no one's fault that CNN sat on/didn't decide to push the story till now.

He's talked about it with Mourning Ho, Tweety, and I think O'Donnell while Keith was out. This isn't some new thing that Sestack is busting out now.

[pocoloco]

36. Why should the president try to damage a Dem??

[saracat]

39. Are you really saying it was okay for the President to support a Republican

(faux Dem) over a Democrat and the WH to offer an appointment to a sitting Democratic Congressperson who is a Democratic Senate Candidate in exchange for his "dropping out" in order for his favorite to have no opposition? You are aware that is an ethics violation? I guess that is business as usual to you?

[boppers]

80. Offering a job is an ethics violation? Whoo boy.

That dog's not gonna hunt.

[PassingFair]

81. Oh really? Why don't you ask Rod Blagojevich how well that "hunts".

[boppers]

82. Selling for cash is not the same thing as an offer. eom

[saracat]

89. He wasn't offering a job. He was asking for an exchange. The job was only offered as part of an

exchange meant to effect the outcome of an election. And the exchange was offered to an elected official making it worse.

[ShortnFiery]

25. +1

It gives me the creeps when our fellow democrats want us all to walk in lock-step like the GOP.

[Cha]

18. So where's the proof and in what context? I haven't

heard anything about this until now.

[saracat]

61. Here is the context and Sestak DID say this

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20100219_Sestak_says_he_was_offered_federal_job.html

says federal job was offered to quit race
Not so, says the White House
By Thomas Fitzgerald

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Rep. Joe Sestak (D., Pa.) said yesterday that the White House offered him a federal job in an effort to dissuade him from challenging Sen. Arlen Specter in the state's Democratic primary.

The disclosure came during an afternoon taping of Larry Kane: Voice of Reason, a Sunday news-analysis show on the Comcast Network. Sestak would not elaborate on the circumstances and seemed chagrined after blurting out "yes" to veteran news anchor Kane's direct question.

"Was it secretary of the Navy?" Kane asked.

"No comment," Sestak said.

"Was it high-ranking?" Kane asked. Sestak said yes, but added that he would "never leave" the Senate race for a deal.
More at link

[Blue-Jay]

19. Sometimes I wonder which of the two major parties are more self-destructive.

The Republican big-shots have done a wonderful job of destroying public opinion. Then again, the Democratic base keeps trying to play catch up.

[Cha]

33. No, the Dems aren't even close. Everyone is human

and stuff happens but on the whole the Dems are doing an amazing job.

[Blue-Jay]

76. I'd like to agree with you.

No. I'd LOVE to agree with you.

Thing is, it seems like too many well-intentioned self-proclaimed Democrats are very eager to sink the party in the name of... well...whatever. It's weird situation, as I'm in support of the very issues that make many Lib-Dems (pardon my shorthand) angry at the current administration. (Guys, I'm no "cheerleader" nor am I a "leftier-than-thou leftist")

DU has gotten odd. It was easy when when had a common enemy.

[Cha]

78. Sure there's lots of dinos...but on the whole

we are making progress.. and that's what I'm looking for.

[ShortnFiery]

21. Because it's the truth. What? We are supposed to be immoral? Anything for a win? eom

[FrenchieCat]

44. At some point, you just need to go to the other side!

Really.

[ShortnFiery]

45. Oh come on? I despise the GOP. But the truth is what being a democrat is about : VALUES

We don't compromise our values to support "a party."

[FrenchieCat]

48. Offering a job is somehow immoral?

Wow.

Guess that's why Clinton got impeached for that Blow"job"?

[ShortnFiery]

49. I'm not doing the spinning, the media is. Sestak merely told the truth. That is not a sin. eom

[FrenchieCat]

50. What was done that was immoral?

since you said...."We are supposed to be immoral? Anything for a win? eom

Please tell us how you arrived at this conclusion so quickly and firmly?

[ShortnFiery]

52. You misunderstand. People are attacking Sestak for telling the truth. His values not Obama's.

[FrenchieCat]

54. No, actually I saw that Rick Sanchez piece.....

and the person they are attacking is Pres. Obama,
not Sestak.

So, no, nothing about Sestak including his values are being attacked,
but once again, this president is being accused of doing something......
they are just not sure exactly of what. They used the word Bribe,
which is a bunch of bullshit, since offering jobs to pols is routine,
not immoral.

[saracat]

60. Actually the WH offering an appointment to a sitting congressman running for the Senate in

exchange for his dropping out to make way for a former GOP senator to snag the nomination is quite a bit different that just offering someone a job. That is a bribe.And yes bribery is often done, just not often by the WH to effect an primary election of their own party.

[ShortnFiery]

68. I wasn't watching Rick Sanchez.

So we miscommunicated. :-)

[saracat]

62. This wasn't just "offering a job" Jeebus, you accept anything!

says federal job was offered to quit race
Not so, says the White House
By Thomas Fitzgerald

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Rep. Joe Sestak (D., Pa.) said yesterday that the White House offered him a federal job in an effort to dissuade him from challenging Sen. Arlen Specter in the state's Democratic primary.

The disclosure came during an afternoon taping of Larry Kane: Voice of Reason, a Sunday news-analysis show on the Comcast Network. Sestak would not elaborate on the circumstances and seemed chagrined after blurting out "yes" to veteran news anchor Kane's direct question.

"Was it secretary of the Navy?" Kane asked.

"No comment," Sestak said.

"Was it high-ranking?" Kane asked. Sestak said yes, but added that he would "never leave" the Senate race for a deal.

[totodeinhere]

79. He was offered the job to get him to stay out of the PA race, then yes it was immoral.

And I want to know about it.

[Zen Democrat]

35. CNN are the dumbasses. If you offer your kids candy to do/not do something that's a "bribe" too.

And not illegal. Actually this rebounds to the favor of Sestak and Barack Obama. Toomey is already trying to portray Sestak as a pawn of the White House -- which is the game plan he had prepared for Specter and now Toomey's got nothing to run on. If this kind of job offer is bad, read some history on LBJ, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and Bush II! Obama's enemies are really stretching on this one. Check out why George W. Bush was appointed CIA Director by Ford when Colby was talking too much to the Church Committee. Apparently when Specter decided to switch parties, he was given an assurance by the White House and by Ed Rendell that he wouldn't have a primary challenge. Sestak decided to challenge and the White House offered him the job of Secretary of the Navy, for which Sestak was eminently qualified as a retired Admiral, but Sestak turned it down and that was that. The White House offered him a job, they didn't threaten him! There was no wrongdoing by anyone. And it all worked out beautifully for everyone except Arlen Specter, which suits me fine. And Toomey is left holding the bag and crying.

This is as unfair a complaint as the hue and cry and "outrage" about Blumenthal. Do you think the media gave a crap that George W. Bush wrote in his 2000 campaign book that he had checked the box on his National Guard form - "Available to Serve in Vietnam" -- yet when the form was finally released he had NOT checked that box? Nobody in the media said a word. The selective persecution of Democrats is pretty amazing to me. And they question Blumenthal getting into the Marine Reserves in 1970 when there was a draft lottery in place in 1969 -- I remember it well. By 1970 there wasn't such a demand to enlist in the Marine Corps, regular or reserves. While GWB actually did get Daddy's help to stay out of the draft in 1968 from Ben Barnes, the Lt. Gov. of Texas, when Daddy was a U.S. Congressman, the Future Worst President in History was AWOL for the last year and a half of his "service" flying obsolete aircraft, from which he was grounded from flying because he was a drunk. So give me a break on Blumenthal. Oh, and they act like he's a bad person for getting five deferrments when Cheney got five deferrments too, and I don't remember The Dickster serving in any capacity ever.

[IndianaGreen]

37. Because it was true!

And this story was posted when it first saw the light of day weeks ago!

[FrenchieCat]

38. So Bush can lie to the American Public and Congress and get us into a war,

and CNN doesn't say shit? And this petty anny stuff is supposed to make our blood boil?

Now I see how Clinton got impeached for a blow job!

Guess the GOP and their media will try anything!

Bush gets off with murder,
and Obama is the one that gets the magnifying glass up his ass?

Thanks CNN! Especially now, we really need you there reporting
one whatever it is; barely nothing beyond bullshit!

[stickwithobama]

40. This is going to be the new "Whitewater." They were waiting for Sestak to win.

I knew this would happen.

[FrenchieCat]

43. If They start in on this petty bullshit

than watch George Bush get put under the jail.

If anyone thinks that the public will allow bullshit hearings
based on a job offer, at this time in our history,
with all that we are already suffering through now,
they've got another thing coming.

Those who initiates this kind of bullshit investigation
or anything remotely close might as well pick out their plots now,
because they will be buried by the time all is said and done.

Anyone stupid enough to act on this nothing
will end up generating a backlash so large,
There won't even be a Republican party by the time
it's over.

SO I say...go ahead.

[saracat]

65. So you REALLY think this shouldn't be a story? Really?

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20100219_Sestak_says_he_was_offered_federal_job.html

[Aramchek]

86. hey, it's you, grasping at any straw that threatens Obama, again

how
unexpected

[Name removed]

88. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kjackson227]

42. I see articles that were printed regarding this back in February...

so isn't this old news, and why are they rehashing it now? Because the corporate-owned msm and the Repugnants have started to throw everything against the wall in hopes that something will stick.

[saracat]

67. Because Issa is demanding an investigation and because Sestak has not recanted.

And the last story is dated May 19th.

[kjackson227]

72. ~SIGH~

:-(

[FrenchieCat]

51. You don't even know what was offered or when or how or why or if....

the fact that you could proclaim this with this obnoxious
reactionary OP is telling.

[kjackson227]

56. Are you talking to me?

[FrenchieCat]

57. No. Op writer

and his insiniary headline.

[kjackson227]

59. Okay :)... I really think this is "silly season" on DU for the past...

two days. If we're not careful, Toomey is going to slide right in in November. I'm beginning to think that some on DU would love for this to happen.

[FrenchieCat]

63. Aye!

I think you may be correct on this.

[saracat]

64. Yeah we do. Sestak told us.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20100219_Ses...


says federal job was offered to quit race
Not so, says the White House
By Thomas Fitzgerald

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Rep. Joe Sestak (D., Pa.) said yesterday that the White House offered him a federal job in an effort to dissuade him from challenging Sen. Arlen Specter in the state's Democratic primary.

The disclosure came during an afternoon taping of Larry Kane: Voice of Reason, a Sunday news-analysis show on the Comcast Network. Sestak would not elaborate on the circumstances and seemed chagrined after blurting out "yes" to veteran news anchor Kane's direct question.

"Was it secretary of the Navy?" Kane asked.

"No comment," Sestak said.

"Was it high-ranking?" Kane asked. Sestak said yes, but added that he would "never leave" the Senate race for a deal.

[ima_sinnic]

75. if this is true--Obama brought it on himself

and no matter what the "defenders" say, this is not "nothing," it is the president of the United States trying to influence the result of an election--a primary election at that, which is supposed to reflect the will and the voice of We The People.

People here are "mad" because Sestak blew a cover-up.
Let all the illicit, tawdry goings-on see the light of day.

Frankly, I'm sick of Obama's "deal-making" that has really nothing to do with what he was elected to do--which was something about "change" and "hope" and a bunch of other meaningless, slick ad agency slogans for which his campaign paid the hard-earned dollars of people suckers like me, IMPLYING that he'd be fighting for US, We The People -- and everything to do with seeing the corporate/Wall St. kickback agenda delivered.

How nice it would have been if he had "made a deal" to get single-payer universal health care done -- he would have gone down in history as another FDR or LBJ. But I guess he was made an offer he couldn't refuse.

[Bluenorthwest]

58. The man won the election. This means 'not a dumbass'

He wanted to win, and he did. At that time, the President was the stated opposition, backing the Republican until yesterday Specter. That which harms the other side in an election that is good stuff. And he who wins has simply not fucked up, he has prevailed. Unless he was not telling the truth, cut the whining, his job was to win, and he did so. This is politics, not some nursery school for former Republicans. That seat was not a gift to be given, that was the message here. The dumbasses, clearly were the losers who thought they could command the voters like their pet poodles.
The winner is the winner. The others are the dumbasses. That is simply how it is. This is why it is-listen up here- stupid for a President to spend himself on such nonsense. A primary is a free election, not a bartering stone. There is risk in deal making using that which you really do not have to give. Deal with it.

[saracat]

69. Yup. And the WH gave the GOP their talking points on this .Issa is NOT going to shut up.

Unlike us, they will not roll over. And it isn't even about them. LOL! The WH tried to buy one of their own.Oh the irony! :banghead:

[NorthCarolina]

70. I, for one, am glad this is out there as public knowledge. Is this how we want our

Government to work?

[howaboutme]

71. The question is - is it right or wrong?

Someone once said that the true test of whether something is ethical and proper, and whether it should be done, is to think about how it will be accepted by the public if it was reported on the front page of the NY Times. It should have nothing to do with which Party did it. Maybe someone should have thought about that aspect.

[emulatorloo]

73. WHO CARES. Another DU tempest in a Teapot.

Sestak says he supports Obama, Obama says he supports Sestak.

[saracat]

74. But Sestak ALSO says Obama offered him a big appointment to withdraw

And he hasn't recanted . Issa is calling for an investigation and he isn't going away. I care. This was really stupid of the WH. They also originally denied this and now refuse to comment.That doesn't look good.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

83. Quid pro quo. If you do this, then we'll do that

Definitely illegal, unethical. No question about it - an office in exchange for an act ( either commission or ommission)

If someone in Obama's administration was stupid enough to do this, they deserve to suffer the consequences.

And by the way, Sestak did the ONLY thing he could do in the circumstances - reveal it. We all know that our reps are being monitored and wired. With impunity. Even subject to blackmail. With impunity. How would Sestak know if this wasn't a set-up? Suppose he said "Sure! I'll drop out if you make me Secretary of the Navy." Then he would be just as guilty.

I don't have any sympathy. If they did it - let the chips fall where they may.

[saracat]

93. Exactly.Sestak did the right thing . If this bites the WH in the ass, he is in the clear.

[Robeson]

101. You're using logic...

...you're supposed to have an emotional reaction in GDP.

[Renew Deal]

84. This story is 4 months old.

Why is it coming up now? I can guess the answer.

[saracat]

90. Because the GOP was waiting to see if Sestak got the nomination?

Sestak made the claim, the WH denied it and now the WH refuses to comment. Whoops. And I don't think Sestak made the story up .

[treestar]

85. They can call it that all they want, but there's nothing wrong with it

Sheesh, getting a job offer is just getting a job offer. You take it or you turn it down.

Anyone of age and citizenship status was able to run for that office, too.

[saracat]

91. Rationalize anything can't you? A high ranking Federal position

offered by the President of the united States to a sitting congressman in exchange for his dropping out of a Senate race in order to influence a primary election is just a "job offer" to you? Wow.

[Dr.Phool]

96. No worse than when Nixon offered John Sirica a job.

Since Sirica was the judge in the Watergate case!

Now, there was just a job offer!

[harun]

87. Not surprised.

[Dr Morbius]

92. Woah. What are we saying, here?

Was Congressman Sestak asked to violate an oath of office? Was his vote purchased, or was a deal made in exchange for a vote? It's pretty clear an offer was made; if Mr. Sestak would reconsider his decision to pursue the Senate seat, he can get some nice cushy job. Is this a transparent political deal? Yes, I am afraid so. But, I think it is important to remember Mr. Sestak was not asked to violate a public trust. He's running for Senate; the White House found him inconvenient; they offered him a job to step aside. This has been happening in politics for literally centuries.

Tell me Hillary Clinton wasn't offered her choice of cabinet slots in exchange for her support at the Democratic Convention in 2008. Tell me Colin Powell didn't get offered State in 2001 in exchange for giving Bush much-needed credibility in 2000. And tell me Obama didn't look at his biggest potential threat from the GOP when he decided to name his ambassador to China.

Deal? Yeah. Shady? Maybe, a little. Bribe? Hardly.

[saracat]

94. Big difference asking a sitting elected official to effect the results

of an election that was to be decided by the electorate. People get "rewrded" all the time for quid pro quo but effecting the outcome of an election is different. Had Sestak dropped out, Specter would have automatically been the nominee, facing no opposition. The Party often tries to persuade folks NOT to run so as not to waste funds on a primary but this is very different, especially since it is the WH.

[SwampG8r]

97. i have read every reply on this thread

and your replies are the only constancy
i am amazed at people who just spent 8 years squealing about corruption just be happy when it is their corruption
dont let these people change your mind
you are one of the few who sees it as it is

[NHDEMFORLIFE]

102. Finally, someone states the simple truth

The naivete of some people on this board is staggering. Shrieking about this as "corruption" displays an astounding detachment from reality and ignorance of American political history. If this is corruption, there have been 44 corrupt Presidents of the United States.
If Captain Renault, of Casablanca fame, were here, he would no doubt seem shocked and chagrined. "I am shocked, shocked I tell you, that deal-making is going on in the White House!"
Get a grip.

[freddie mertz]

103. This story CAME OUT IN FEBRUARY. Everyone in PA knows about it.

I suspect that the stench of it ended up helping Sestak.

First fail.

Now the GOP is trying to use it against Obama.

Second fail.

Conclusions:

1. This stinks of Rendell machine tactics (as in the last Senate race, where Casey's potential primary challengers were pushed out one by one) and also of Rahm's dealings from DCCC days.

2. All three of them (Obama, Rendell, and Rahm) should have kept their noses out it in the first place.