EXCLUSIVE: White House asked Clinton to talk to Sestak about Senate run

Washington Post ^ | May 28, 2010 | Greg Sargent

[maggief]

Senior White House advisers asked former President Bill Clinton to talk to Joe Sestak about whether he was serious about running for Senate, and to feel out whether he'd be open to other alternatives, according to sources familiar with the situation.

But the White House maintains that the Clinton-Sestak discussions were informal, according to the sources. The White House, under pressure to divulge the specifics of its interactions with Sestak, will release a formal statement later today outlining their version of events, including Clinton's involvement.

According to the sources, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel asked Clinton and his longtime adviser, lawyer Doug Band, to talk to Sestak about the race. It's unclear right now whether the White House will say that Clinton was asked to suggest specific administration positions for Sestak, whether Clinton floated positions on his own, whether Clinton discussed other options not related to the adminstration, or whether employment even came up at all in the talks.

[Wolfstar]

Issa is fighting pretty hard on this. If the Repubs keep getting in front of a mike and ask why the MSM is ignoring this, and Rush, Beck et al keep at it, if nothing else will get our base out, out of shear disgust, and keep the Dims at home.

I admire Darrell Issa. Met him at a reception years ago when he first ran for Congress. He's a good guy. Very ambitious too.

However, if our "base" needs this case to motivate them to vote in November, we're in big trouble.

[top 2 toe red]

That’s for sure! I made the comment, “She’s waaaay past her Botox touchup appointment!”

[sijay]

It sure took a long time to come up with this convoluted tale, didn’t it?

[manc]

exactly.
In order for Clinton to have offered a job he must of got the go a head form the white house and Rahm could only give that authority from obama.

[manc]

anyone noticed how the MSM is hardly covering this except FOX?

[manc]

So true.

[Gator113]

President Clinton, please remember that you’re under sworn oath to tell the truth. Now President Clinton, have you ever lied under oath?

[Ultra Sonic 007]

I notice that most of the soccer players don’t look too happy to see EITHER of them.

[thouworm]

RELATED SESTAK THREADS From Today!:

The fix is IN! Sestak responds, "job" meant unpaid job that's all

Bill Clinton Was Asked to Offer Sestak Job

White House Asked Bill Clinton to Urge Sestak to Drop Out of Senate Race

Sestak says White House has contacted his brother over job-offer allegation

White House asked Bill Clinton to talk to Joe Sestak about Senate run

Statement from Joe Sestak on White House Counsel's Report

"Last summer, I received a phone call from President Clinton. During the course of the conversation, he expressed concern over my prospects if I were to enter the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and the value of having me stay in the House of Representatives because of my military background.

He said that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel had spoken with him about my being on a Presidential Board while remaining in the House of Representatives. I said no. I told President Clinton that my only consideration in getting into the Senate race or not was whether it was the right thing to do for Pennsylvania working families and not any offer. The former President said he knew I'd say that, and the conversation moved on to other subjects.

"There are many important challenges facing Pennsylvania and the rest of the country. I intend to remain focused on those issues and continue my fight on behalf of working families."

WH Response On Sestak Issue Creates More Questions

Darrell Issa Responds to the Sestak News: "It's Clear They Can't Be Trusted" (Video)

Sestak Responds (all smoke and mirrors)

White House Admits To Sestak Offer! (These guys can't even spin competently)

Obama Impeachment Now Almost Certain: Sestak Allegation Confirmed

White House asked Bill Clinton to talk to Joe Sestak about Senate run (Obama admits breaking law)

GOP: White House Sestak story not believable

White House Used Bill Clinton To Discourage Sestak

Sestak: Brother Collaborating With White House

The Silence of the Sestak: The Big Me involved?; Update: WH memo released

'Press Wouldn't Cover Sestak Story If Rahm Announced It On Pennsylvania Ave. In A Speedo'

Limbaugh On Clinton's Involvement With Sestak Job Offer (video)

White House Set to Blame Bill Clinton for Sestak Bribe

Malkin: Look Who’s Behind the White House/Sestak Stonewall

Issa: Sestak scandal could be Obama's 'Watergate'

Chronology of the White House response on Sestak

Clever White House plan to drag out Sestak controversy even longer

[Always Independent]

I’d like to see phone records showing this conversation took place.

[sijay]

“anyone noticed how the MSM is hardly covering this except FOX?”

I’m sure this story was concocted for the MSM. It doesn’t take much to fool them, so that problem has been explained to their satisfaction.

[thouworm]

DRUDGE Headline (with appropriate weasel pics):

TAG TEAM: CLINTON, OBAMA LUNCH UNDER SESTAK CLOUD

[manc]

indeed, the MSM will say OK enough now nothing to see move on.

[tina07]

[FreeStateYank]

I swear, in a fiendishly perverse way, we couldn’t have a better assist than what is coming out of the null set administration. Keep it up!!!

[Christian4Bush]

bump for bs meter graphic

[JrsyJack]

Ha ha! Put Clinton under oath!!

No, put Sestak under oath.

[lrslattery]

Crimes and Criminal Procedure - 18 USC Section 600

Sec. 600. Promise of employment or other benefit for political activity

Whoever, directly or indirectly, promises any employment, position, compensation, contract, appointment, or other benefit, provided for or made possible in whole or in part by any Act of Congress, or any special consideration in obtaining any such benefit, to any person as consideration, favor, or reward for any political activity or for the support of or opposition to any candidate or any political party in connection with any general or special election to any political office, or in connection with any primary election or political convention or caucus held to elect candidates for any political office, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

AMENDMENTS
1994 - Pub. L. 103-322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000”.

1976 - Pub. L. 94-453 substituted $10,000 for $1,000 maximum allowable fine.

1972 - Pub. L. 92-225 struck out “work,” after “position,”, inserted “contract, appointment,” after “compensation,” and “or any special consideration in obtaining any such benefit,” after “Act of Congress,”, and substituted “in connection with any general or special election to any political office, or in connection with any primary election or political convention or caucus held to select candidates for any political office” for “in any election”.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1972 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 92-225 effective Dec. 31, 1971, or sixty days after date of enactment [Feb. 7, 1972], whichever is later, see section 408 of Pub. L. 92-225, set out as an Effective Date note under section 431 of Title 2, The Congress.

---

Source: http://law.onecle.com/uscode/18/600.html

[thouworm]

Note: this topic is from July 21, 2006. Some more archival topics about Joe Sestak:

• Sensitive Political Test for Sestak (D, PA) (Fund Raiser for CAIR)
• Spencer: A free speech for Sestak, if he CAIRs
• Why is Congressman and former Navy Vice Admiral Joe Sestak raising funds for CAIR?
• Protest Sestak at CAIR Philadelphia 4/07/07
• Sestak Scheduled Speech to Muslim Group Causes Uproar (Sestak CAIR's Buttmonkey)
• Stepping Over the Line-blundering congressman needs to be called to account
• Commentary: Sestak Must Rescind His Ties To CAIR
• Sestak takes heat over appearance at CAIR banquet (CAIR Has Ties to Islamist Terrorism)
• Democrat Hires Staffer from Islamist Group

Clinton connection:

• Sensitive Political Test for Sestak (D, PA) (Fund Raiser for CAIR)
• Sestak: Clinton offered 'presidential board,' maybe intel or defense
• White House: Clinton spoke to Sestak about 'uncompensated' job
• MUST SEE VIDEO: Clinton Refuses To Comment On Sestak Offer
• VIDEO: Sestak: Conversation With Clinton Was Not "Inappropriate," Lasted 60 Seconds
• It was Bill Clinton, Woops not good enough um, Sestak's Brother? um, it, was, Just a Volunteer Job!
• White House Set to Blame Bill Clinton for Sestak Bribe
• Bill Clinton Was Asked to Offer Sestak Job
• White House asked Bill Clinton to talk to Joe Sestak about Senate run
• White House asked Bill Clinton to talk to Joe Sestak about Senate run (Obama admits breaking law)
• White House Used Bill Clinton To Discourage Sestak
• White House Asked Bill Clinton to Urge Sestak to Drop Out of Senate Race
• EXCLUSIVE: White House asked Clinton to talk to Sestak about Senate run

This list thanks to SunkenCiv