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Follow Up On Rep. Joe Sestak’s Job Offer

By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on May 24, 2010 at 7:30 PM in Arlen Specter, Congress (House & Senate), Crime, Current Affairs, General Election, President Barack Obama

Well, this was an interesting weekend for spinning news, especially if you watched Robert Spokesweasel Gibbs at all. But one person, a politician, no less, who has been consistent in his comments on one subject, did so again this Sunday.

That would be Joe Sestak, who continues to affirm he was offered a job to drop out of the race in Pennsylvania against Arlen Specter. Even after beating Specter in the election, he STILL affirms he was offered a job:



Did you catch what Chris Stirewalt said? That the White House investigated itself on whether or not there was wrong doing with offering Sestak a job? Yes, and they found themselves BLAMELESS! I think the following sums it up perfectly:

Does that mean that when anyone of us is accused of committing a crime, or cheating on our taxes, we can investigate or audit ourselves and OUR conclusion is supposed to stand? If so, maybe it’s not such a bad thing to emulate the White House, right? Uh, yeah, sure.

Rep. Darrell Issa, though, does not think the White House should be able to commit felonies, investigate itself, or find itself blameless. He continues to push for an investigator. At least that’s one person who thinks the White House is not allowed to commit felonies and get away with it. Let’s hope there are more.

We are, after all, and despite all current evidence to the contrary (illegal immigration, the White House, Obama’s presidency) a nation of laws. It is high time we get back to enforcing them.

  • Daisy Mae

    Will this story have any investigation, since the WH is “blameless?”
    And why would Sestak keep insisting he had an offer, if it were not so? In a poll I know who I’d vote for has having more veracity.  Thanks, Amy

  • Clara

    My money is on Sestak as the one truthteller in the story.  Ax denied any involvement but my money would have been on Rahm anyway.  I hope that this does not work against Sestak in his race.  He does possess integrity and starch.

  • candymarl

    This is downright depressing. When the GWB administration investigated itself and was found “not guilty” there were howls across the land, blogosphere, and opposing media. They were right.

    Now? So what? Obama has spoken and thus it is true. So sayeth Obama. The Book Of Obama Chapter 6 verse 2.

    PS. He wrote the book himself after writing his glowing bios.

  • Peggy Sue

    Those initial howls on Bush were legitimate.  The same standard should be applied to the Obama Administration.  To do anything less is the height of hypocrisy.

  • Diana L. C.

    This reminds me of the Massa brouhaha.  I still believe that the administration really did some type of “framing” of Massa.  Perhaps this is Sestak’s way of warning the WH to leave him alone–who knows?  These two guys are both military, so I think they are babes in the woods when it comes to the type of slimy doings of politicians. 

    I’m making my assumptions based on NOT ONE BIT OF EVIDENCE; it’s just my gut.  So, perhaps my gut just needs some Activia or something.

    ;)

  • susiepuma

    so tired of crappy news -

    wanted to post something pretty cool

    http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100523.html

  • Cindy

    Rev. Amy—You are so damn funny!
    And oh, yes..I’ve had many talks with myself and have concluded that I basically have no faults that I can see….HA!! :-D
    Is the White House for real?? You really can’t make this stuff up and have it be nearly as funny.
    Thanks for the post and the Church Lady vid…..Sure do miss her!!

  • Hank

    That is so cool..Thanks for sharing….

  • candymarl

    Diana L.C. I doubt they are naive when it comes to political manuvering.  Contrary to popular opinion, there are politics in the military too. Particularly among the officer corps. 

    He knows what time it is which is why he’s not denying the job offer. It’s SOP: CYA.

  • Rosa

    if the white house gets away with this pay to play  offer of a job,  then blago’s trial should be dropped!!

  • oowawa

    Reminds me of when the Clinton administration was investigating itself for Whitewater and got so suspicious about what they found that they started investigating themselves about a sex scandal . . .

  • Yttik

    I believe Sestek is telling the truth about this. I believe Blago is telling the truth. I believe Massa is telling the truth, (but not the whole truth because he thinks some of it would reflect negatively on him.)

  • oowawa

    Yep, these guys just reek of truthiness . . .

  • Yttik

    “These two guys are both military, so I think they are babes in the woods when it comes to the type of slimy doings of politicians. ”

    LOL! I was thinking the opposite. These guys are both military so they’re probably quite experienced with the slimy doings of politicians.

    My gut thinks Sestek is warning the White House to back off, too.

  • BuzzLatte

    I’ve had the feeling that Blago has some pretty good legs to stand on when it comes to Obama’s complicity in the dirty for dirty Chicago machine.  Call it a hunch.

    I question what Sestak’s MOTIVE is to bring up this obvious legal gauntlet for the WH et al.  Who benefits?  Who has something to lose, and who gets damaged from it?

  • kinthenorthwest

    RRA another good article and what a great way to present it TY….
    oowawa….Guess the WH is starting a new craze

  • susiepuma

    Boy – I don’t know about Blago – there have been a lot of mysterious suicides in Chicago over the past year or so……………………………….

    Maybe he needs a bunker………………

  • Rabble Rouser Rev. Amy

    I’m with you on that one, Clara and Daisy Mae.  My money is on Sestak, too. 

  • Rabble Rouser Rev. Amy

    Amen to that, Peggy Sue.  They were legitimate, as are ours on this issue (and so many more that should be considered)…

  • Rabble Rouser Rev. Amy

    Thanks, Cindy!  I think you are faultless, too!  :-D

    oowawa, you kill me.  So funny!

    Thanks, Kin!

  • carol haka

    It is Sestak’s job to report the illegal transaction to the proper authorities – not acting like polyanna-shy about what happened.  Either you put up Sestak or you are the exact piece of garbage that is heading back to you hometown in November.  Stop talking about honor – be honorable.

    OT

    Make sure you read the comment from Sorebird also:

    http://biggovernment.com/jmeath/2010/05/24/obama-should-send-sarah-palin-to-louisiana/#more-124150

    >:o

  • Rabble Rouser Rev. Amy

    Abt Blago – it is disturbing that Obama is being protected so.  Anyone with half a brain knows that Obama had major connections with him in the first place.  No WAY they aren’t calling him abt who should take Obama’s place.  No way in hell.  Yep, there’s that “truthiness” alright…

  • Rosa

    I was thinking that also ,round the clock security……….I think he could sink the whole crew from chicago

  • AC

    Can I just call you K

  • AC

    “Does that mean that when anyone of us is accused of committing a crime, or cheating on our taxes, we can investigate or audit ourselves and OUR conclusion is supposed to stand?”  Or Rev Amy, you could insist that you want to look forward and not backward therefore the preceding act is irrelevant.

  • Rabble Rouser Rev. Amy

    Susiepuma, here’s some good news for a change.  Our aquarium here has a turtle rehab hospital.  Recently, a number were returned to the sea.  I can tell you, having attended a couple, it is an unbelievably moving experience…

  • oowawa

    Blago’s scheduled cellmate . . .

  • Clara

    He was asked, so technically, he didn’t bring it up.  He was transparent when asked but also, as a good Admiral, knows to give the CiC the opportunity to send out his own message.  This White House doesn’t know that they are now dancing with the bear.

  • Clara

    I don’t believe it’s Sestak’s job to tattle.  When asked, he answered honestly.  It is up to the WH to answer the questions instead of saying they’ve had their lawyers look at something and have been told that whatever they did or said, it was not inappropriate. 

    If that isn’t absolutely absurd.  The WH made the offer.  It’s not up to Joe Sestak – it’s up to BarryO.

  • susiepuma

    That’s terrific RRRA – hope those little buggers swim like hell outa there before the oil spill gets up the coast………………………

    it’s coming – BP won’t have the relief wells drilled until August – hope they do a better job on these – is anybody checking? 

  • susiepuma

    Gotta question?  how come my avatar doesn’t show up here? 

  • oowawa

    The plight of wildlife in the face of the oil spill is indeed heartwrenching.  Two days ago, I was watching the BP live feed of the oil gushing out on the ocean floor (strangely relaxing and horrifying at the same time), when suddenly a large eel (about 3 feet long) swam into view and started swimming around right in front of the oil geyser.  At one point, it swam right up to the oil and seemed to be sniffing at it.  Then it swam away.  5,000 feet down–I was very surprised.

  • susiepuma

    I just watched a 10 minute video over at MonkyFister site – was hard to look away – the bot was moving up from the bottom ‘for an oil change and washed windshield’ – was trying to figure out the stuff besides oil – dead fish?, ice crystals?, live fish? pieces of the rig and/or the tube?  hard to tell……………………………….

  • Rabble Rouser Rev. Amy

    My pleasure, Susiepuma – and yes, I am worried that the oil will end up getting into the Gulf Stream and coming our way.  It is beyond words what is happening to the marine life in the Gulf. 

    oowawa,, that IS surprising abt the eel!  Holy smokes!

  • Cindy

    LOLOOWAWA!!

  • ~~JustMe~~

    You need to load it Susie. Click on grey head graphic  and choose where you want to load it from in the drop down list

  • ~~JustMe~~

    You need to load it Susie. Click on grey head graphic  and choose where you want to load it from in the drop down list.
    HTH

  • Cindy

    Damn—why are all the good catches in prison? (teehee)

  • AC

    Is that a right click or left click?

  • Cindy

     I believe Massa is telling the truth

    Yttik—Do you mean “Massa” Axelrod?

  • ~~JustMe~~

    Click to reply when the box opens up just click on the grey head and it should open up a drop down to choose from. If your graphic is on your computer click that option and then hit browse it will take you to your files on your computer. 

  • Senneth

    Sestak voted for the Insurance Mandate bill.  While I believe him I would not vote for him were he running in my state.  I’m voting against all the incumbents – both Dims.

  • AC

    Cool

  • Obama: Dubya 2 Electric Boogaloo

    I’ll give you the short answer: It’s only wrong when the right does it.

  • ~~JustMe~~
  • carol haka

    Sestak is a military officer. It is his duty to report a felony to the proper authorities.  He is suppose to be operating on a higher level than joe blow at the village market.  If he doesn’t have the moral character to do the right thing – too hell with him.  We have had enough morally corrupt assholes – ain’t looking to replace one with another one.

    Obama has to answer the charge.

    >:o

  • ~~JustMe~~

    LOL AC you better add a graphic now!

  • No Longer Banned in Beantown

    When everybody except for two monks in Tibet know what Sestak said, I am pretty sure it is not necessary to report it. The next step would be an investigation. Is the DOJ prepared to say they did not investigate because it was not reported?

  • carol haka

    I am positive that Issa will get it done.

    And because Sestak didn’t hold a news conference or go to the proper authorities to report it, he can go to hell.

    >:o

  • sowsear

    where is the grey image (grey head graphic)?

  • Docelder

    I looked over at that monkeyfister site the other day myself… they were saying there was some kind of a major eruption on the sea floor at the leak site and that the sea floor around the leaking pipe had dropped several feet. Also they said the blowout protector was gone. I haven’t been back to check again.

    I have since wondered a lot though about the 4 inch “siphon” pipe which is sticking into the 22 inch pipe hole. It never seemed very practical to stop the leak or to capture much oil using a 4 inch pipe with a 22 inch pipe leak. But, it might be the right size to pump the dispersant “corexit” into the cloud of oil as it spews. That would give the impression that the leak had slowed or that oil was being captured in the small pipe, of course the oil may well just suspend deep down instead of floating. But, I am kinda wondering as I think about it what the 4 inch pipe is all about looking at it this way and thinking about it. I don’t know, it just feels off somehow. I wonder if anybody with the government is critically thinking any of this through?

  • sowsear

    I couldn’t find a sowsear

  • POdVet

    Am I the only one hoping the offer came directly from Obama, and that Sestak is giving him a chance to resign and be pardoned by Biden ala Nixon being pardoned by Ford?

  • DB

    Sestak is another arrogant leftist who thinks he has some constitutional right to remain silent about the job he freely admitted he was offered. That would be a crime, a high crime and/or misdemeanor, specifically. If Rahm made the offer, and the offer was a cabinet level position, the President can and should be impeached, convicted, and removed from office. No way Obama didn’t authorize an offer of a cabinet level job.   

  • John/johnwsmart.com

    I’ve said this before and I will say it again: One very GOOD reason to vote GOP this november is this: Subpoena power. 

  • TeakWoodKite

    DB. Obama is a control freak. What you says is true.

    No past has he, only present when required, the future ?
    Who among them (who brought ‘em) will speak truth to power?

    Sestak? Perhaps he speaks truth , but not to power. 

    Besides which, what US attorney’s office could he call that would not ultimatley betray his testimoney, by those who are in places of authority?
    Not beauase the ptiticular US attorney is sitting on a mountian of testimoney regarding the collateral tangents of Rezko and the 10 years of pay to play prior in Chicago and else where.

  • Deapthrowt

    Gosh, as I recall the Dems didn’t mind a bit when Bush self-investigated Plame-gate and just told everyone to move along, nothing to see here. Surely they now expect the same courtesy pass they gave the Repubs. Yeah, right.

  • Deapthrowt

    Perhaps the reason the White House found no problem is because the perpetrator is immune from prosecution due to  ….. (ahem) “Executive Privilege”.

  • Pingback: Tweets that mention Follow Up On Rep. Joe Sestak’s Job Offer : NO QUARTER -- Topsy.com

  • Clara

    Obama will never go willingly. 

  • ~~JustMe~~

    Cute cat!

  • Sassy

    The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!
    So Joe, who made the offer?
    Sestak started as an innocent bystander, but he is now participating in a cover-up!

  • tango

    Cool, thanks for explanation JustMe. Now I’m all loaded with my purple alien.

  • tango

    Nah, a man with Obamas ego and all those sycophants of his backed by all those who paid, covered up, cheated, lied and took advantage to get Obama to the WH would never let him resign. 

  • tango

    That’s why Sestak should’ve gotten it all on tape. That’s what I would’ve done. I know it’s illegal to tape someone without their permission so possibly there could be some jail time but with his record, more likely a fine and community service or probation. I would’ve called a big press conference, played the tape with Rahm stating the offer and how it has the President’s and his main advisors endorsement and then let the shit fly.  

    Oh boy, I’d be eating popcorn and loving every moment as the President, twinkle toes Rahm, Robert Glibsy, Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett all go ballistic!   

    I think this is Sestaks way of letting the WH know they better be good to him or he’ll reveal all. And he knows the WH has the power (so far) to keep it covered up and unaddressed so it’s really not a threat to him personally in regards to having to say more.  

  • Breeze

    -

    Lack of sunlight over Mr. Sestak’s claims
     
    Washington Post,
    by Editorial   

    Original Article

    5/25/2010

    “Nothing inappropriate happened,” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says about the job offer that Rep. Joe Sestak, now the Democratic nominee for a Pennsylvania Senate seat, claims the White House dangled to induce him to back away from challenging incumbent Arlen Specter. “It has been looked into,” adds White House senior adviser David Axelrod, and “nothing inappropriate happened.” That may be — but high-handed, conclusory assurances from the White House are not enough to satisfy legitimate questions about the episode.

  • AC

    “I know it’s illegal to tape someone without their permission…” ******Not necessarily, it depends on which state the recording originates.  As an example, in Virginia it only requires the assent/knowledge of one person to the conversation. If we’re speaking and you want to tape me or vice versa then it’s legal, if someone else want to tape our conversation  without our knowing then it’s illegal.

  • Breeze

    -

    GOP Takes Aim at Sestak

    Wall Street Journal,
    by Naftali Bendavid

    Original Article

    5/25/2010 

    Republicans certainly know one job they don’t want Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak to get: U.S. senator. After Sestak’s successful primary challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter (D., Pa.) , some GOP lawmakers are intensifying accusations that the White House may have broken the law by offering Sestak a job to get him to drop his Senate bid. The episode may be an embarrassment for the Obama administration, which has promised to end politics as usual. But some election lawyers from both parties say that offering such a deal broke no laws, and that it’s a fairly typical political move.

  • AC

    Until there’s an investigation, it’s not yet a coverup.

  • FLDemFem

    Carol, the “proper authorities” for an Admiral would be the Commander in Chief…the guy who tried to bribe him in the first place. So given that, I think his going public with it was the right thing to do. The Obama regime would have just buried it, and the public would be none the wiser. What is needed now is the appointment of a special prosecutor to look into it. That isn’t going to happen with out a Republican majority, or some Dems that aren’t drunk on KoolAid, to appoint one. A few Congressional subpeonas wouldn’t hurt either.

  • Sassy

    AC, the White House claims to have investigated the matter. I’m not gullible enough to accept their response. Sestak’s statements were made in a primary, and now it’s time for the rest of his story.

  • FLDemFem

    NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW! Including the President of the United States. Just ask the ghost of Dick Nixon if you don’t believe me. And “Executive Privilege” doesn’t excuse or give any immunity to criminal activity.

  • Sassy

    Fldemfem, that may depend on who’s running the Justice Department, and Holder doesn’t read very well…if you get my drift!

  • Hokma

    I agree that Sestak is telling the truth but parsing his words because he is aware that what was committed was an impeachable offense. It is not the first impeachable offense committed by Obama. The first was the firing of an Inspeactor General which violated a law Obama co-authored.

    But nothing will happen to Obama on this as long as Democrats control Congress.

  • kenoshamarge

    Hypocrisy is what politicians do best.

    It should not matter to decent law abiding citizens which party is not following or enforcing the law. Dammit, the “law” is what is important not some stupid political party or cheering for your “team”. Partisanship is killing us. We accept things from “our” team that we would never accept from “their” team. And the biggest hypocrites of all are the members of the media that search for ways to “not” report the news if it isn’t flattering to “their” favorites.

    We’ve all known for a very long time that many/most politicians and members of the media are lying hypocrites. Please people, let us not let them turn us into mirror images of them. Someone, somewhere has to stand for honesty and the law. And we know it won’t be them.

  • kenoshamarge

    Exactly Rosa, what is different between what Blagojevich is accused of and what Oblahblah, or one of his syncophants, did?

  • Breeze

    -

    Top Obama adviser says ‘no evidence’
    that Sestak’s bribe charge is true

    Daily Caller,
    by Jon Ward
       
    Original Article


    5/25/2010 10:37:19 AM    

    Senior adviser to the president David Axelrod said Monday evening that there is “no evidence” that White House officials tried to keep a Democratic congressman from entering the Pennsylvania Senate race by offering him a high-ranking government job. “When the allegations were made, they were looked into. And there was no evidence of such a thing,” Axelrod said on CNN’s “John King USA.” Axelrod acknowledged that if White House officials dangled a job in front of Rep.

  • Breeze

    -

    For Sestak Matter, a ‘Trust
    Us’ Response From White House

    New York Times,
    by Peter Baker   

    Original Article

    5/25/2010

    WASHINGTON — For three months, the White House has refused to say whether it offered a job to Representative Joe Sestak to get him to drop his challenge to Senator Arlen Specter in a Pennsylvania Democratic primary, as Mr. Sestak has asserted. But the White House wants everyone who suspects that something untoward, or even illegal, might have happened to rest easy: though it still will not reveal what happened, the White House is reassuring skeptics that it has examined its own actions and decided it did nothing wrong. Whatever it was that it did.

  • AC

    Sassy, I hear you.

  • jwrjr

    If Axelrove said that it was raining outside I would go over to a window and look for myself.

  • Breeze

    -

    The Real Question For Joe Sestak — ‘When Did You Stop Beating Your Wife?’

    Big Journalism,
    by Jeff Dunetz   

    Original Article

    5/25/2010 

    Congressman Sestak, if you are telling the truth about the job offer and not being forthcoming, you are covering up a possible crime. If you are not telling the truth, it is a different issue: you are lying to your constituents and to all Americans. Which is it Congressman, Pennsylvania voters need to know — are you lying, or are you covering up a crime?

  • Breeze

    -

    John King Presses Axelrod, Sestak on
    Job Offer Issue; Goes Nowhere Fast

    NewsBusters,
    by Matthew Balan   

    Original Article

    5/25/2010

    On his CNN program on Monday, John King pressed both Obama senior advisor David Axelrod and Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak on the latter’s allegation that he was offered a job by the White House in exchange for getting out of the Pennsylvania Senate primary against Arlen Specter. Even though King pushed for an answer, Axelrod denied any wrongdoing on the White House’s part and Sestak refused to explain further ….

  • required reading
  • Breeze

    -

    Durbin: Sestak needs
    to explain job offer

    Politico,
    by Meredith Shiner   

     Original Article

    5/25/2010

    Majority Whip Dick Durbin says Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) should come clean about exactly what he was offered to drop out of the Pennsylvania Senate primary. “At some point, I think Congressman Sestak needs to make it clear what happened,” Durbin said. Durbin, a close Obama ally, would not specify whether the administration should make a stronger case in denying Sestak’s charge that the White House offered the congressman a job in order to end his primary bid against sitting Sen. Arlen Specter. Sestak ended up winning the primary last week.

  • FLDemFem

    Holder won’t be in office forever, and all the things that Obama has done can be prosecuted after he leaves office. He can be impeached after he leaves office too. That way he won’t get anymore of the taxpayers’ dollars wasted on his sorry self. If he is impeached and convicted, he gets no pension, no Secret Service, no staff money, nada. And he cannot hold ANY public office in the US again. Not even dogcatcher. If it’s a taxpayer funded salary, he can’t have the job. So he will have to live off his book sales, and whatever his friends care to toss his way in the way of money. Given he won’t have any influence and be a disgraced political figure, my guess is that he won’t get much from them. Unless he becomes a Muslim charity case, like Idi Amin.

  • ImRubberYoureGlue

    IF it’s the Secretry of the Navy position then only the President can appoint someone to fill that position, therefore Obama must have given his consent to Rahm…no doubt about that.

    IF it’s the Secretary of the Navy position…