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It Wasn't a Job; It Was an Uncompensated High-Level Advisory Capacity

By Paul Chesser on 5.28.10 @ 2:58PM

White House counsel Bob Bauer has released the official explanation about public misunderstandings of whether or not Congressman Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania was offered a job in the Obama administration, in exchange for dropping out of his primary challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter. You see, the Democrats really, REEL-LEE wanted to avoid an ugly primary in the Keystone State, so they enlisted presidential smoothie Bill Clinton to offer him an enticement that would be hard to turn down. Bauer:

Efforts were made in June and July of 2009 to determine whether Congressman Sestak would be interested in service on a Presidential or other Senior Executive Branch Advisory Board, which would avoid a divisive Senate primary, allow him to retain his seat in the House, and provide him with an opportunity for additional service to the public in a high-level advisory capacity for which he was highly qualified. The advisory positions discussed with Congressman Sestak, while important to the work of the Administration, would have been uncompensated.

Never mind that Sestak said repeatedly he was offered a "job," which by definition does not carry with it the condition "uncompensated." But we must emphasize how badly the Democrats wanted to avoid a primary, so coming up with something of value that would attract Sestak was necessary. Among the other tempting incentives they considered offering:

1. A green job
2. Box seats to a Pirates game
3. A framed copy of Specter's resignation from the Republican Party
4. A cookie

Officials finally settled on the equally valuable "uncompensated high-level advisory capacity" in the Administration. Can you believe Sestak turned them down?!

topics:
Bill Clinton, The Obama Administration, Arlen Specter, Joe Sestak

View all comments (12) | Leave a comment

Rebecca| 5.28.10 @ 4:35PM

I'm not buying it. Wouldn't Clinton have acted as an agent of the WH? What would be the difference?

It is a legal document written in weasel words.

What would be a high level job for the WH that is unpaid that would be equatible to Senate prestige that would allow someone to remain in the House? Wouldn't that create a conflict of interest for Sestak? Would he advise the WH differently than he would decide as a representative, or does the WH really see the leg and ex branches as one?

Disgusted| 5.28.10 @ 4:48PM

I don't believe that Clinton ever spoke to Sestak. The White House desperately looked around for someone who could be called "the White House" and found Clinton, a former President. Clinton knows that no one can hurt him now, so he's told the useful lie that he made the offer. Someday we'll find out the truth.

Truthyness| 5.28.10 @ 5:11PM

What kind of cookie was it?

Bear1909| 5.28.10 @ 5:52PM

This smells of desperation. Rahm's gonna take the hit because he supposedly cleared the offer. Too close to O-hole. As it is O-hole is going to have a hard time with having plausible deniability. This is a big deal. The statement by this so-called fixer (HOR and Advisory at the same time? Didnt this guy take a civics class?) is a step in some real doo-doo. Say goodnite, Dick, er Bob

Larry in Iowa| 5.28.10 @ 10:28PM

The American people should be outraged that Obama and the boys came up with such a pathetic story. No respect as Rodney used to say. A lie should at least be plausable.

PCC| 5.28.10 @ 11:53PM

This a blatant lie.

However, if Sestak and Clinton stick to their stories, it'll be impossible to prove otherwise.

The best one can hope for is Sestak's defeat in November.

STU| 5.29.10 @ 9:06AM

If this is true, then the crooks in the WH will have to come up with a better story:

The Board consists of not more than 16 members appointed by the President from among individuals who are not employed by the Federal Government. Members are distinguished citizens selected from the national security, political, academic, and private sectors.

As a sitting member of Congress, Sestak was not eligible for the job. And since the White House intended for Sestak to remain in his House seat, he would not have been eligible for the board after this November’s elections, provided he was re-elected to the House.

RAHM, COME BACK! We need help with our lies!

Ned| 5.29.10 @ 1:16PM

President Clinton on the prowl for another intern. This time a high-level advisory capacity intern, no less.
This is great material for "Saturday Night Live." Think he was smoking a cigar when he talked to Sestak? Did they order Pizza? Shouldn't be any stains this time since Bill the intern guy was turned down this time.

Oldefarte| 5.29.10 @ 2:35PM

With the injection of IDIDNOTHAVESEXWITHTHATWOMAN Clinton, it defends the one-on-one involvment of the White House. Besides, he can always say, I GUESS IT JUST DEPENDS UPON WHAT THE MEANING OF 'IS', IS, if questioned about it. Anyway, if a '''''WHITE HOUE LAWYER''''' proclaims its innocense/legality, then obviously no wrong has been committed, right [since lawyers never LIE] ?????????????

dollface| 5.29.10 @ 6:30PM

If I remember right, you could always tell when Clinton was lying. His lips moved.

The Army Aviator| 5.30.10 @ 4:48AM

If the TRUTH were known, my guess is that Sestak was REALLY offered Secretary of Defense! Think about it. Gates said he'd stay on for a year. That year was about up at the time Clinton, supposedly made the offer, on behalf of Obama. If we get a Special Counsel and they "sweat" Sestak, he'll sing! As an Admiral, Sestak was always a pissant anyway. Clinton already has a proven track record regaring perjury, so you can count on him to lie. But Sestak? He is not willingly going to go to prison to save Obama, or Clinton.