Joe Sestak: The White House offered me a job in return for dropping my challenge to Specter
posted at 2:57 pm on February 19, 2010 by Allahpundit
A “high-ranking” job too, which, given Sestak’s previous career as an admiral, has everyone thinking it must have been Secretary of the Navy. I’m truly shocked — not that The One would try something like this, as offering jobs to people to clear his political path is part of his M.O. Rather, I’m shocked that Sestak would mention it publicly. In the unlikely event that he wins the Senate seat, how will the White House be able to work with him after this?
A White House spokesman this morning strongly denied an offer had been made to Sestak. Before the spokesman issued the denial, a senior Pennsylvania Democrat said Sestak’s account was met with anger by White House officials yesterday.
After yesterday’s taping, Sestak said he recalled the White House offer coming in July, as he was preparing to formally announce his Senate candidacy in August. He declined to identify who spoke to him or the job under discussion. Sestak also would not say whether the person who approached him worked for the administration or was an intermediary for the offer.
“I’m not going to say who or how and what was offered,” Sestak said in an interview. “I don’t feel it’s appropriate to go beyond what I said,” because the conversation was confidential.
Sestak, 58, a retired Navy admiral, has said that some Pennsylvania Democratic leaders have tried to entice him to drop his campaign with promises of support for other offices in the future. He also has said that Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, urged him to run when Specter was still a Republican, then tried to force him out after Specter switched parties.
Toomey’s campaign responded by taking the easy lay-up: “It’s just like Arlen Specter to get an insider Washington deal to try to save his political career.” And that’s the thing — I think this hurts Specter a lot more than it does Obama. The left may grumble about The One favoring a RINO/DINO over a more authentically liberal candidate, but (a) everyone already assumes that maneuvering like this goes on behind the scenes and (b) Specter has a better shot of holding the seat against Toomey than Sestak, which is no small virtue in a year where they’re looking at a red wave. But for Specter the optics are horrible. First he switches parties for no grander reason than to save his own ass by avoiding a primary against Toomey, now he’s got Captain B+ — whose approval rating in Pennsylvania is 44/55 — trying to save his ass for him a second time by buying off, of all things, a retired admiral. Good luck in November, chump. What could go wrong?
Blowback
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good snark….
Since he’s an admiral is it now—- squid, pro quo?
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 2:59 PM
That’s an easy one to answer. Sestak knows that this will hurt Specter politically and he currently trails him in the polls. It makes perfect sense to go public.
Doughboy on February 19, 2010 at 2:59 PM
oh that Obama admin, great priorities.
rob verdi on February 19, 2010 at 3:00 PM
Come on, Joe. Act like a lady and don’t talk about things that are confidential.
BadgerHawk on February 19, 2010 at 3:01 PM
I love blue on blue violence
MarkTheGreat on February 19, 2010 at 3:01 PM
Slestak knows that any job that Obama offers him will only survive while Obama is still in office. 3 years max.
MarkTheGreat on February 19, 2010 at 3:02 PM
Met with anger by WH officials…Can you hear the f-bomb from his bunker? Is Sestak creating distance before the campaign so they can make up later. If this guy is a former admiral, he sure doesn’t remember how to keep a secret.
Kissmygrits on February 19, 2010 at 3:02 PM
Can Salem add a snark button to our comment formatting options?
So what is the over/under on how many f-bombs Rahm dropped when he heard Sestak drop this one? 7?
WashJeff on February 19, 2010 at 3:03 PM
It probably doesn’t hurt him with moderates at this point to call out P.BO for corruption, either.
Count to 10 on February 19, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Loose lips sink
shipscampaignsWashJeff on February 19, 2010 at 3:04 PM
munch…munch….munch…
29Victor on February 19, 2010 at 3:05 PM
roger that. I just don’t understand how this helps this guy out. The WH is PO’d, Specter sure the hell is, and the voters of PA???–what’re they thinking? If I was a PA voter, I’d be thinking I didn’t want any part of any of these Dem fools—Specter primarily, Sestak as well, and Obama by proxy.
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:05 PM
The most corrupt admin ever! It’s the Chicago way of life.
rjoco1 on February 19, 2010 at 3:05 PM
That didn’t keep him from blabbing about the main point of that conversation. So he’s keeping the minutia a secret. hahahaha I’m so proud of him!
jgapinoy on February 19, 2010 at 3:06 PM
Because he’s so willing to compromise and listen, silly.
Weight of Glory on February 19, 2010 at 3:06 PM
Is it just me, or has the WH been in damage control mode pretty consistently every Friday afternoon for the last 2-3 mos?
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:07 PM
That’ll be interesting to see. How far to the center are vulnerable Dems willing to run in the primaries and general election? Are they willing to throw Obama under the bus if necessary?
Doughboy on February 19, 2010 at 3:07 PM
This is just Democrat Party pillow talk….right —Rahm?
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:08 PM
I wouldn’t use this exposure against his record as an admiral. Big difference between keeping naval secrets and ones involving the president bribing you to leave an election.
amerpundit on February 19, 2010 at 3:08 PM
Joe Sestak: The White House offered me a job in return for dropping my challenge to Specter, and I’ve just learned that water is wet.
BobMbx on February 19, 2010 at 3:09 PM
jwolf on February 19, 2010 at 3:09 PM
Is your “1″ key not working? 12-13 mos
WashJeff on February 19, 2010 at 3:10 PM
*inserts more popcorn into the microwave*
Beep!
*munch munch*
KeepOhioRed on February 19, 2010 at 3:10 PM
I think this says more about the president’s standing these days than anything else. Would a Democrat candidate make a public accusation like this against a Democratic administration that was flying high in the polls? I don’t think so.
Mark1971 on February 19, 2010 at 3:10 PM
111111
nope, 1′s workin’–must be my long-term memory. thanx for reminder.
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:11 PM
Sestak to PA: “I’m not affiliated with Obama.”
ROCnPhilly on February 19, 2010 at 3:11 PM
You know, if the White House was willing to make deals for a Dem primary, I’m now a lot more curious about hearing the Rahm/Blago wiretap tapes.
myrenovations on February 19, 2010 at 3:12 PM
I don’t know if this had merit or not. But black farmers just got a gift from the candyman:
Washington (CNN) — The head of the National Black Farmers Association said Thursday the U.S. government has agreed to pay qualified farmers $50,000 each to settle claims of racial bias.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said those farmers may also pursue a claim for actual damages from the bias, and potentially receive up to $250,000.
The settlement, which covers as many as 80,000 black farmers at a price of more than $1 billion, still needs to be funded by Congress, both sides acknowledged Thursday.
The 2010 farm bill, still pending in Congress, includes more than $1 billion to cover the compensation claims.
Y’all gotta vote right, folks.
IlikedAUH2O on February 19, 2010 at 3:13 PM
I read somewhere about some scandal from 2006 and the DOJ, but really who cares? There was dirt on Obama then, too, and if it goes this long without any action being taken then YAWN. This was a smart move that has the White House furious.
chunderroad on February 19, 2010 at 3:13 PM
not genius, i have one snarky red blood cell and it just happened to be passing through the snark brain center—99% of the time, I’m an utter blathering idiot….right AP/
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:14 PM
Considering Zero’s way is The Chicago Way…. someone needs to ask Sestak what the White House “offered” him if he refused??
Getting in touch with the bottom of the Chicago River? One of Hillary’s famous one-way tours to Ft. Marcy Park? An extra special Valentine’s Day compliments of Thomspson Machine Gun Works? Dinner with the Gottis?
viking01 on February 19, 2010 at 3:14 PM
Offering up jobs isn’t really bribing but, if true, was done very poorly. You don’t do this little dance directly to the point where the bribee can make a claim like this. John Kerry tried to get John McCain as his running mate by offering up both the VP role and SECDEF role in a combination position within a Kerry administration. Kerry and McCain flirted but when it became clear that McCain wanted to wait and destroy his own party the flirting stopped without the offer ever being made or McCain having to give an answer.
highhopes on February 19, 2010 at 3:16 PM
Can’t imagine why anyone would offer anything for someone to help Specter, the prissy old coot!
jeanie on February 19, 2010 at 3:16 PM
Who esle but Rendell? That Obama whore.
Sir Napsalot on February 19, 2010 at 3:16 PM
how do you like that PA Dems—down the stairs with all of ya! Yank the candidate you may want right out from under ya for a RINO DINO like specter, who may see the pendulum swing for the R’s this year and pull another switcheroo? He may try, but he’d probably have to join ol’ Joe lieberman in the I column.
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:17 PM
They’re lining up to pimpslap Obooba.
Akzed on February 19, 2010 at 3:18 PM
I’m pretty sure there is something in the military code of conduct regarding the reporting of unethical behavior to your superiors. In this case, his superiors are the voters.
MarkTheGreat on February 19, 2010 at 3:18 PM
Which is their MO, to attack viciously even the truth if it hurts Obama.
That was their tact in the election, and it was restated just a few weeks ago.
right2bright on February 19, 2010 at 3:19 PM
Normally I’d agree, but see “red wave,” above.
misterpeasea on February 19, 2010 at 3:19 PM
My guess is exact his words were “That F$%king R$tard said what?”
Tim Zank on February 19, 2010 at 3:20 PM
So this is how Dems “distance ” themselves from Obama
to save their own behinds in 2010 election ?
Nice
macncheez on February 19, 2010 at 3:20 PM
back to the black farmers bailout. the black farmers group failed to file their paperwork at the proper time as plain old white farmers so Bambi gave the black farmers extra time.
sorry, fuzzy on the details, but one of the leaders is a black farmer from right here in southern Virginia. and he thought he was going to be sec’y of Agriculture. ha
anyway, this is racist, affirmative action.
i think i will write my Congressman who voted for cap ‘n trade & obamacare & the stimulus. surely he’ll vote against this?
kelley in virginia on February 19, 2010 at 3:21 PM
Sorry, but offering a job to specifically clear the path for a candidate, by the president, is a bribe…no buts about it…
right2bright on February 19, 2010 at 3:21 PM
Bustin’ kneecaps.
MobileVideoEngineer on February 19, 2010 at 3:22 PM
Why would Zero and crew change the habits of a lifetime in Chicago politics? Situation normal, remove the opposition by fair means or foul !
Hurry up November .
Sandybourne on February 19, 2010 at 3:22 PM
wonder why he wouldn’t take the SecNav job if indeed that is what was offered.
don’t tell it is because he is so honorable…he’s a Pennsylvania Dem.
kelley in virginia on February 19, 2010 at 3:23 PM
“Captain B+”…. You’re making me choke on my popcorn here!
pookysgirl on February 19, 2010 at 3:24 PM
The Six Articles of The Code of Conduct
(1) I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense
(2) I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist
(3) If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
(4) If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners.
I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me, and will back them up in
every way
(5) When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give only my name, rank, service number, and date of birth.
I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
(6) I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom,
responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
***********
you were sayin’ admiral?
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:24 PM
Obama is such an expert at convoluted meanings of words he just has to say he created or saved a job.
fourdeucer on February 19, 2010 at 3:25 PM
It’s looking like Obama and Rahm luvs them some Specter….mmmm mmmmm. mmmmmm
Snarlin Arlen
Down the stairs with you Sestak, you’ll be licking envelopes over at the OEOB for Joe Biden’s dog now buddy.
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:26 PM
Looks like message from the White House to Arlen is—”We know you’re gonna get beat.”
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:27 PM
Technically, everything Zero does as president is legal as long as his stepnfetchit Attorney General the sleazy Eric Holder is there to play interference. Reno taught Holder well that it ain’t illegal for boss if you never prosecute it.
viking01 on February 19, 2010 at 3:27 PM
Sestak is just a private citizen now. They only way he could be bribed is payment now for him to vote some way once elected.
The real offense is to be giving out jobs not based on the merits but on political gamesmanship. That is misuse of government funds for partisan purposes.
pedestrian on February 19, 2010 at 3:27 PM
oooh dude, I am so going to use that word–”stepnfetchit”
can i use it sometime too?
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:28 PM
Obama lies every day. He only has to speak , and it’s lies, upon lies. I don’t know Sestak, but what would he gain by lying? So I tend to believe his version of this account.
Is it possible with his military background, and his high ranking at that, that he’s an upstanding fella? That he knows the meanings of the words integrity, respect, and honesty? I sure hope so.
capejasmine on February 19, 2010 at 3:30 PM
This scenario screams for a Hitler in the bunker treatment.Hitler, \” We grab a seat in the Senate from the Republicans with Specter and we can\’t keep the f@#!ing boob in office?! Anyone not named Rahm leave the room so I can ream the a@#hole a new one!\”
walkingboss on February 19, 2010 at 3:30 PM
BREAKING for the White House:
“We totally deny these allegations and are in the process of identifying the alligators.”
milwife88 on February 19, 2010 at 3:31 PM
President Toonces never met a cliff that he did not enjoy driving off of.
Old Fritz on February 19, 2010 at 3:31 PM
Harry Reid: He’s glad that today, he’s not the one shooting himself in the foot.
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:32 PM
Which the answer is …
They won’t – and he doesn’t want them to.
The reason this guy is mentioning this is because he WANTS a political disagreement with Obama. He wants to distance himself from Obama in order to have a shot at winning this election. Which tells me – that even this leftist Admiral KNOWS that Obama is tainted goods.
Sestack is NOT the least bit conservative. He’s running against “The Ghoul” because he thinks Ghoul is a faux liberal – which he’s right about that – Specter is not a conservative or a liberal – but a political “survivorman” who would administer himself a bat guano enema if would keep him in office.
Sestack is a LIBERAL who’s beating a fast trail away from Obama. That should tell HEAPS about this President’s political fortune with his own base of supporters.
HondaV65 on February 19, 2010 at 3:33 PM
aww masta chief, the “bat guano enema” that is priceless..!
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:35 PM
Just so you know, Stepnfetchit was a black actor, way back when. The name has become derogatory in all uses.
Just sayin’.
BobMbx on February 19, 2010 at 3:35 PM
Great line!
davidk on February 19, 2010 at 3:36 PM
BobMbx on February 19, 2010 at 3:35 PM
big time wooops! didn’t know that *ducking ban hammer*
didn’t know it a bit.–sorry
ted c on February 19, 2010 at 3:36 PM
By all means…try one today. Useful wherever Democrats are sold! And tell ‘em Viking sent ya.
viking01 on February 19, 2010 at 3:39 PM
Which makes it perfect for Holder.
thomasaur on February 19, 2010 at 3:39 PM
Pretty sure Sestak was squeezed out of the Navy for poor performance, Not sure about the details.
Filecchio on February 19, 2010 at 3:40 PM
per his bio, rear admiral sestak has a rep for being a hard to to get along with. mass staff walk outs, triple the usual amount of staff turnover, unrelenting task master expecting his people to devote every mintute of every day to his mission.
add in the fact that he was sh*tcanned / relieved at the end of his naval career, and sestak seems like a hard guy to do business with.
the Gang that Can’t Shoot Straight should have threatend him, not cajoled him.
DrW on February 19, 2010 at 3:41 PM
2009 Obama is President —
2010 Obama is President Stesak elected
2011 Obama is President Stesak is senator
2012 Obama is President Stesak is senator
2013 Anybody Else is President Stesak is senator
2014 Anybody Else is President Stesak is senator
2015 Anybody Else is President Stesak is senator
2016 Anybody Else is President Stesak is senator
That’s how.
Chris_Balsz on February 19, 2010 at 3:41 PM
So what does Sestak get out of this? He will piss off the liberals for coming out with the info. And I can’t see it being that big a plus for independents and certainly not for conservatives.
So unless he’s planning on writing a book about the episode, what’s the point?
angryed on February 19, 2010 at 3:41 PM
Let’s not go Political Correctness with that “back in the day” stuff or we’ll be banning William Shakespeare for what he said about Richard the Third.
viking01 on February 19, 2010 at 3:41 PM
Ooooh. Caramel popcorn, anyone?
HornetSting on February 19, 2010 at 3:44 PM
It’s amazing that the Obama regime thinks that flag grade officers can be bought off. This circus must believe that everyone is as corrupt as they are.
BottomLine5 on February 19, 2010 at 3:44 PM
Should we at least throw the rats a life vest or something….?
It seems that rankness just follows Specter.
HornetSting on February 19, 2010 at 3:46 PM
0bama is pretty pitiful. He can’t sell people on his ideas (not even other Democrats), so the only thing he can do is to pay people off with either high-level jobs or cold hard cash.
He’s doing exactly that in Nevada, handing out $100M to the state to try and help Dingy Harry’s re-election chances there.
UltimateBob on February 19, 2010 at 3:48 PM
Wow. Obama is really sticking to his promise to change the way Washington politics is played.
gwelf on February 19, 2010 at 3:49 PM
The beauty of this story is that he must have some “proof” somewhere or he never would have made the claim. Unless you are John Edwards. lol!
bloggless on February 19, 2010 at 3:51 PM
“I just don’t understand how this helps this guy out.”
It does several things. Apparently Sestak sees Obama as a political liability and this places distance between him and Obama. Being seen as an adversary of Obama might be a plus politically. This might be a case of killing three birds with one stone. It distances him from Obama (potential plus), places Specter as an Obama ally (potential negative for Specter) and positions him as someone who isn’t going to take a bribe.
Looks like a win, win, win to me.
crosspatch on February 19, 2010 at 3:51 PM
Well, Obama is paying 1.5 billion to save Harry Reid’s seat…What’s price tag on Sestak’s job? Come to think of it. How much are all these Czars being paid??? As Blago said of Obama’s vacated senate seat, “this is a valuable thing.”
Nozzle on February 19, 2010 at 3:52 PM
I’ll have some! Where are those Boy Scouts when you need them?
pookysgirl on February 19, 2010 at 3:54 PM
With all this drama, pookysgirl, you need to stock up~here you go…Jager Bomb?
HornetSting on February 19, 2010 at 3:55 PM
DrW on February 19, 2010 at 3:41 PM
Military staff don’t walk out…They are not unionized, yet…Flag officers, especially the good ones, can be severe task masters. What counts are the results and how he treats those who do the work…High staff turnover is not that unusual for New Flags who are building their team…Now, I’m not a fan of Sestak. Just sayin…
Nozzle on February 19, 2010 at 3:56 PM
Conservatives should be actively seeking out Boy Scouts to stock up on popcorn.
And yes, I would like a Jager Bomb. :D
pookysgirl on February 19, 2010 at 3:58 PM
Just pathetic…
If it wasn’t so tragic it would be amusing…
phadedjaded on February 19, 2010 at 4:01 PM
I’ve been avoiding girl scouts and their cookies like the plague, but didn’t know boy scouts sell popcorn! At least I square popcorn on my diet.
HornetSting on February 19, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Sestak is clearly a racist.
jukin on February 19, 2010 at 4:08 PM
Quite frankly I am incredulous that no one in the GOP has gone to the courts on any the blatant illegalities that this administration has direct involvement in.
1, Public disclosure of bribery via a plum job to Sestak.
2, The GOP report announced by Issa of blatant criminal activity by ACORN, Project Vote, SEIU and their “100′s” of affiliates in documented money laundering.
3, The outright theft from shareholders of GM & Chrysler to reward political suppoters with controling interest of those companies.
4, Easily documented election fraud in the Iowa primaries and beyond to hand the nomination to Obama over Hillary.
http://papundits.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/barack%e2%80%99s-magical-mystery-tour/
5, Abrogation of signed International treaties with allies without congressional ratification, ie; the missle defense sheild agreements with the Pole’s and the Czech’s.
I am sure with a little thought I could come up with more, but surely this should provide enough fodder for a start. What is the deal here? Will the same lack of will to hold Barack and his Dhimmi’s accountable be the case if they go ahead with reconcilliation on clearly unconstitutional mandates in the bill?
“Calling Ted Olsen, there’s a white telephone courtesy call for you in the Supreme Court lobby”.
Anyone?
Bueller?
Archimedes on February 19, 2010 at 4:09 PM
I’ve been avoiding girl scouts and their cookies like the plague, but didn’t know boy scouts sell popcorn! At least I square popcorn on my diet.
HornetSting on February 19, 2010 at 4:02 PM
HornetSting: I wonder if Boy Scouts have a badge for
popcorn delivery!!:)
canopfor on February 19, 2010 at 4:11 PM
\
Zing!!! Hahaha….
Beat Navy!
Youngs98 on February 19, 2010 at 4:12 PM
Barry’s looking for someone to be in charge of the corpsemen?
malclave on February 19, 2010 at 4:12 PM
So,the ever resourceful Libs,are in the fine arts
of political bribery!!
canopfor on February 19, 2010 at 4:13 PM
OK, here’s a potential Intrade over-under for Allah to run with: after this administration shoots off all of it’s toes will it tip forward, for a face plant, or backwards, for an a$$ plant.
Yoop on February 19, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Strongest allies of this president!
======================================
I think,it sounds a lot more like
blackmail!!
canopfor on February 19, 2010 at 4:19 PM
OK, here’s a potential Intrade over-under for Allah to run with: after this administration shoots off all of it’s toes will it tip forward, for a face plant, or backwards, for an a$$ plant.
Yoop on February 19, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Yoop: Oooh,thats sheer brilliance,either way,the fall is
going to be a sudden thud into Hopey’s Abyss!!:)
canopfor on February 19, 2010 at 4:21 PM
Oh wow! He can’t be bought! At least not for a job. If I get one more mailing from this clown I’m gonna go scream TOOMEY TOOMEY TOOMEY out my front door!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on February 19, 2010 at 4:23 PM
It had to be part of the bribe to Specter to get him to cross over.
So, we have the little boy king trading national security posts for 1 vote to foist his socialist health cramdown on the country.
Sweet, huh?
notagool on February 19, 2010 at 4:23 PM
A giant patch with an ear of corn~I like Boy Scouts~I’d give them a tip for my delivery of corny goodness.
HornetSting on February 19, 2010 at 4:24 PM
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