New York Democrat Rep. Anthony Weiner joined a loudening chorus asking Rep. Joe Sestak and the White House to come forward with details about a supposed job offer that was made to Rep. Sestak to stay out of the Pennsylvania Senate primary. Sestak, since introducing that the job offer took place, when asked if such an offer transpired says, "I answered honestly" "Yes". The White House for its part has been silent on the issue, stating that any conversations that were had were reviewed by their counsel and were not of concern.
Just today, Republican candidate Pat Toomey echoed that Rep. Sestak should come forward with the details and that the election should be about Pennsylvania. It is my concern that by not coming forward, Rep. Sestak gives, as Rep. Weiner asserted major 1994esque ammunition heading into the Fall general matchup by refusing to come forward.
http://thehill.com/...
It is quite clear that this is spreading like wildfire given its a pretty cut and dry story: http://www.youtube.com/...
http://www.youtube.com/...
http://www.foxnews.com/...
Unfortunately, the claim is already corroborated and introduced into the public eye by the person who was supposedly offered the job... Rep. Sestak. If such allegations are true, in fact this could be serious in the sense that federal statute makes quite clear that offering a bribe is a potential felony. It is also a felony to not report that a crime had taken place, and thus could land Rep. Sestak in hot water.
I am inclined to agree with Rep. Weiner that the situation needs ironed out so that Toomey and the GOP do not beat the Democrats over the head with the issue in the Fall election. It is important to show we are transparent with the public, and refusal to do so will only embolden Rep. Darryl Issa, who is now set to file an Ethics complaint against Sestak in June after the Justice Department declined to appoint Independent Counsel.
http://www.politico.com/...
The question is, was it a misunderstanding on Rep. Sestaks part, was there a felony committed, will this continue to explode with the National Media?