You see it’s only illegal if he solicits a job in favor of quitting his bid to become senator. The rules are often written to protect those in power. It may be illegal if he had accepted the job and then the person in power may be found guilty.
It’s splitting hairs, but those in power create the laws to keep them in power.
“It may be illegal if he had accepted the job and then the person in power may be found guilty.”
It could be prosecuted on a conspiracy charge couldn’t it?
“Whoever solicits or receives … any….thing of value, in consideration of the promise of support or use of influence in obtaining for any person any appointive office or place under the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.” — 18 USC Sec. 211 — Bribery, Graft and Conflicts of Interest: Acceptance or solicitation to obtain appointive public office
“In the face of a White House denial, U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak stuck to his story yesterday that the Obama administration offered him a “high-ranking” government post if he would not run against U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary.”
— Philadelphia Inquirer
February 19, 2010
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I thought the same as you but I don’t know about that. Apparently the administration was soliciting a promise not to run against Specter, can a promise not to run be considered a “thing of value”.
On the other hand it appears to be a clear case of attempted bribery, if it is illegal to accept a bribe, can it be legal to offer one?