The White House admitted that ex-President Clinton was authorized to offer Rep. Joe Sestak a job in exchange for not running for Senate against poor Arlen Spector. (It must be a huge disappointment to be denied your birthright of lifetime office in the US Senate. He was sure it was his.) White House Counsel Bauer admitted guilt in a two-page memorandum.
Read the
memo.
It doesn't matter that the office was unpaid. President Obama's team offered a bribe to Sestak to leave Specter alone. It's
a crime. Here is
The Caucus blog at New York Times version of the law - two laws:
Federal law makes it a crime for anyone “who directly or indirectly, promises any employment, position, compensation, contract, appointment, or any other benefit” to someone else “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.” It is also illegal for a government official to use “his official authority for the purpose of interfering with, or affecting, the nomination or the election of any candidate” for Senate.
And Bauer hides behind their obvious trick of doing it indirectly. The White House did not contact Sestak... But had Clinton do it. Doesn't matter. it was a bribe.
And besides, everyone does it - breaks this law. In Bauer's words:
There have been numerous, reported instances in the past when prior Administrations -- both Democratic and Republican, and motivated by the same goals -- discussed alternative paths to service for qualified individuals also considering campaigns for public office
And it is Bauer's job - after admitting guilt - to say that the illegal is legal, so he does.
OK, lapdogs, NY TImes, WA Post, all of you. Others chased out the scandal. Just report on it. Not on an obscure blog, but on the front page. Ask some questions.
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