Will Toomey Play Hardball with Sestak? (He'll do the country a favor if he will)

American Thinker ^ | May 23, 2010 | Ben Barrack

[jazusamo]

When Joe Sestak defeated Arlen Specter to secure the Democratic nomination for Senator of Pennsylvania, you could almost feel the White House cringe. Although it's too early to say that Sestak's loose lips in a February media interview with Larry Kane could sink the Obama administration's ship, his primary win almost certainly has the White House scrambling for sandbags to reinforce the stonewall.

Sestak clammed up in that interview after admitting that someone in the administration offered him a job in July to drop out of the primary -- presumably, that job was Secretary of the Navy. The problem is that the claim implicates the administration in the commission of at least one felony and Sestak could be implicating himself in the misprision of a felony as long as he remains silent about what job was offered and who offered it.

Republican candidate Pat Toomey is now running against Sestak and told KDKA radio's Mike Pintek on May 19^th that he will run his campaign like he's twenty points down in what is, on paper a close race. If he means that, perhaps he should shine the spotlight on this scandal now that he is on a national stage.

On its face, a strategy that involves calling national media attention to the scandal known as 'Jobsgate' might seem like Toomey would be going negative, slinging mud at his opponent over a matter not relevant to the campaign. That is a misguided and shortsighted view. With the national stage Toomey now has, the opportunity to expose a scandal of gigantic proportions, reaching all the way to what a growing percentage of Americans now view as the most corrupt presidential administration in this nation's history, is now his as well.

As a one-time congressman seeking higher office in the Senate, conventional wisdom - in addition to his handlers - is likely telling Toomey to play it safe by riding the wave of Tea Party conservatism which will help him defeat Sestak in the arena of ideas while capitalizing on the momentum that is expected to benefit conservative Republicans in November.

This scandal is much bigger than Toomey's aspirations. It's also much bigger than taking down Sestak before the election. The irony is that what Toomey likely perceives as going negative may just be the best thing he could possibly do for his country. With the national exposure that accompanies this campaign coupled with Sestak's self-inflicted wound, Toomey has the opportunity to achieve greatness by putting his political aspirations in the back seat; that's irony.

Sestak has also been questioned - surprisingly - by CNN's Rick Sanchez about the alleged White House job offer. His response was as incoherent as the one he gave Pintek. Sestak is on his heels when this scandal is front and center. By extension, so is this presidential administration. Conservatives have long been accused of not having the stomach to deliver knockout blows. Not only is Sestak vulnerable but so is the White House.

If Toomey would embrace a conservative platform while shunning a conservative strategy, he would actually be doing more than anyone has been able to do to this point - penetrate one of several White House stonewalls.

When Moe Howard once shouted, "Shut up and start talkin'," those watching both knew what he meant and understood the contradiction. That's what made it funny. The command distinguishes between double talk and straight talk. It's time to start talkin' Toomey.

See also: The Senator from Sandy Berger

[pnh102]

Toomey MUST play hardball. It is the only way he can win.

[SF_Redux]

I just wish they would investigate the criminal case of excutive office offering Sestak a job to not run against ... whats his name? I forgot already

[jazusamo]

Toomey MUST play hardball. It is the only way he can win.

Bump!

This from Politico Live.

May 23, 2010

Sestak confirms WH job offer to get out of Senate race Rep. Joe Sestak, winner of the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate primary, is refusing to provide more information on what job he was offered by a White House official to drop of that race, although he confirmed again that the incident occurred.

The White House was backing incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) in the primary. Sestak acknowledged in an interview in February that he was offered a position by an unnamed White House official - a potential violation of federal law - but has not offered any specifics on conversation. Republicans are trying to use the issue against Sestak in the November Senate race.

"It's interesting. I was asked a question about something that happened months earlier, and I felt that I should answer it honestly, and that's all I had to say about it." Sestak said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "Anybody else has to decide on what they will say upon their role. That's their responsibility."

Yet Sestak confirmed to NBC's David Gregory that the incident did take place.

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

[FTJM]

Why would you not play hardball? A felony was committed.

[Marty62]

MY ? is what is the big secret about his loss of command (he is an Admiral right?)

[jazusamo]

Don’t know if you omitted the sarc tag but this is it and it was Arlen Specter. :)

[jazusamo]

It sure looks like a felony was committed and Toomey should have the backbone to go after him.

Rep. Darrell Issa has said he’ll make an inquiry to the House Ethics Committee if Sestak doesn’t give the info and it sounds like he means it.

[jazusamo]

Yes, he’s a retired Admiral but currently a Congressman.

[ozzymandus]

Toomey needs to ask Sestak about his navy career and about the job offer.

[pistolpetestoys]

Didn’t [ay much attention to Sestak until this week;he’s really creepy.

[jazusamo]

Absolutely...Honor is supposed to be part of a retired Admirals makeup and if the offer was made and it is in fact a felony on the offering party’s part it would seem Sestak would be abetting that felony. Don’t know if abetting is the actual legal term but it seems to me he would be preventing the prosecution of a felony by not giving all the info after he stated the offer was made.

[ArchAngel1983]

" Although it's too early to say that Sestak's loose lips in a February media interview with Larry Kane could sink the Obama administration's ship..."

That would be giving the american news media way too much credit...silly!

[snowtigger]

That would be”misprison of a felony” and would be, itself, a crime.

[jazusamo]

Thanks...I had seen that and couldn’t remember it.

[OrangeHoof]

This is sooooo teed up for Toomey. If I were him, I’d move this front and center to every campaign pitch and every media appearance.

[grumpygresh]

Exactly. We need the hardball here. We can kill several birds with one stone. Sestak will be spinning and incoherent and will likely lose th US Senate race in PA. Propaganda minister Gibbs will continually play defense by pretending not to know or care. Rep Issa has kept up the pressure so this can make one-party Democrat corruption a national issue in all races.

[pa_dweller]

Plus, IMHO, it would be incumbent on Toomey (and any other congresscritter with a shred of honor), once gaining office, to pursue this in keeping with his oath to protect and defend.

[jazusamo]

Agreed...Sestak is trying to minimize this and in reality it is a big deal. The people representing us should be honorable people though many are not but that doesn’t excuse the behavior of Sestak. He’s a retired Admiral as well as an elected Rep, we have the right to expect honorable behavior from him.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I’ve never seen Toomey play hardball. He’s always acting like a gentleman. Let’s hope he does.