Did the Obama Administration put their legacy at risk by demonstrating "high crimes and misdemeanors" in offering Sestak a "bribe" to leave Specter alone?
If you listen to Conservative media, the Obama Administration has crossed the final barrier, the ultimate threshold, the end all of all ends. In other words, the President would have been better off engaging in a salacious act with a male intern, during a White House Briefing on national television.
The President of the United States has committed an "impeachable offense" and should be held to answer. This is an exact quote from the Conservative talking point literature that Sean Hannity, Rush, Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Mark Levine, Laura Ingram and others have committed to. Make the American public as outraged as we are, about this felonious act.
Now that you have the political spin, let's look at the details:
What crime are we talking about: Legal experts have said that Federal Statute concerning bribery and interfering with an election may have been violated if the WH made a job offer as a quid-pro-quo for Sestak to abandon the primary election against Specter. The exact definition of the statute can be found here:
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/uscode/18U...The problem is (again)... the burden of proof. Sestak agrees that an offer was made to him some time ago by the Obama Administration. But what NO ONE knows is the context of that "offer".
It is irresponsible and inciting to "assume" that the offer was made in regards to the election. Although, many conservative pundits have come out and alleged that it can be "inferred" that the comment was made in regards to the Pennsylvania elections. And it can be "assumed" that it was made by an administrator under a quid-pro-quo context. And its a "guestimation" that he President was directly behind the offer. Therefore we "shall" initiate impeachment hearings against the President.
In laymen's terms:
"Hey Joe, listen we were looking over your package and have determined that you would be a great addition to the position of Secretary of the Navy. Is that something that you would be interested in? LEGAL
But...
"Hey Joe, President Obama here, (or Rahm Emmanuel here, on behalf of the President) I am deeply concerned that you are going to clean Specter's clock in the primary elections this May, and we have already engaged in a quid-pro-bro between Arlen and my office to ensure that he is re-elected if he switches parties. In that respect, I would consider it a personal favor if you would consider bowing out of the election and take a cushy job down here in Washington as...Secretary of the Navy. And Joe, er, uh, if you act now, Michelle and I will let you pet Bo!" ILLEGAL
Problem is, there is no tangible evidence to support or refute either conversation has happened. However, members of the Judicial committees have advised that they looked into the matter and no concerns have been identified based on their investigation, and furthermore, no special counsel shall be sought to further this baseless allegation.
In the meantime, Conservatives insist that the actions taken by the Obama Administration are "impeachable offenses" and action shall be taken.
"The performance of President Obama and his administration during this election cycle are irresponsible at best and criminal at worse, this is why we need to take America back and put a true Reagan Conservative in the White House" Conservative Talk Radio 5/25/2010.
Which brings up a good question....What Would Reagan Do?
Hmmm, let's put some batteries in the DeLorean's Flux Capacitor and get this puppy up to 88 miles per hour. Set our time dial to November 25, 1981...
Reagan adviser reportedly offered CA senator a job with the administration "if he decided not to seek re-election." An, Associated Press article reported that President Reagan's political adviser Ed Rollins planned to offer then-California Sen. S.I. Hayakawa a job in the administration in exchange for not seeking re-election.
Sen. S.I. Hayakawa on Wednesday spurned a Reagan administration suggestion that if he drops out of the crowded Republican Senate primary race in California, President Reagan would find him a job.
"I'm not interested," said the 75-year-old Hayakawa.
"I do not want to be an ambassador, and I do not want an administration post."
In an interview earlier this week, Ed Rollins, who will become the president's chief political adviser in January, said Hayakawa would be offered an administration post if he decided not to seek re-election. (Excerpts from MediaMatters)
So, I guess with the assistance of Doc Brown and Marty, we have again learned that "Politics is the Lovechild of Hypocrisy and Irony".
Nothing More, Nothing Less