# Should Sestak Squeal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 24, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604 "2010-05-24T18:53:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/181 "2010-05-30T04:25:10Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Howard Rollins, Reagan’s political advisor, bragged on the record about offering Hayakawa a job. A jpg of the old AP article is linked in this thread. > > I know you guys are disappointed that your shiny new scandal turned into shit but trying to deny documented history is just silly. No, he didn’t. We just discussed this. No job offer was made. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/182 "2010-05-30T04:38:01Z")
Yes it was. Rollins said so on the record. Hayawaka said so on the record. I linked the story saying so way upthread. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/183 "2010-05-30T04:45:21Z")
> [@](#): > > 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. No offer has been made directly to Hayakawa, Rollins said. > > Similarly, Hayakawa said in a statement, “I have not contacted the White House in regard to any administration or ambassadorial post, and they have not been in contact with me.” It sounds like you’re trying to parse some kind of distinction between saying “we WILL offer you a job not to run,” and “we ARE offering you a job not to run.” Just to clear up your confusion on the issue, there is no difference whatsoever. Also, it’s not illegal either way. Also, Sestak was never offered a job anyway, and most significantly of all, not running for office is not an official act. The President can pay a guy a million dollars cash to retire and it’s not illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/184 "2010-05-30T04:54:09Z")
[Bush’s ethics lawyer on the issue](http://mediamatters.org/blog/201005250033): > [@](#): > > Bush ethics lawyer calls claim that a job offer is a bribe “difficult to support.” In a post on the Legal Ethics Forum blog, former Bush administration chief ethics lawyer Richard Painter wrote: “The allegation that the job offer was somehow a ‘bribe’ in return for Sestak not running in the primary is difficult to support.” Painter also wrote: > > ``` > The job offer may have been a way of getting Sestak out of Specter's way, but this also is nothing new. Many candidates for top Administration appointments are politically active in the President's political party. Many are candidates or are considering candidacy in primaries. White House political operatives don't like contentious fights in their own party primaries and sometimes suggest jobs in the Administration for persons who otherwise would be contenders. For the White House, this is usually a "win-win" situation, giving the Administration politically savvy appointees in the Executive Branch and fewer contentious primaries for the Legislative Branch. This may not be best for voters who have less choice as a result, and Sestak thus should be commended for saying "no". The job offer, however, is hardly a "bribe" when it is one of two alternatives that are mutually exclusive. > > ``` It is flat out laughable and transparently partisan and desperate to try to spin this as a crime. It never even would have occurred to me to try to paint this as an impeachable offense when Bush and Reagan did it, and it wasn’t because I wasn’t open to finding angles for attack. This is over, man. There’s a Goddamn volcano of oil fucking up the Gulf of Mexico right now. Let’s worry about that instead of how we can get Barack Obama on some contrived technicality. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/185 "2010-05-30T05:05:19Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It sounds like you’re trying to parse some kind of distinction between saying “we WILL offer you a job not to run,” and “we ARE offering you a job not to run.” Just to clear up your confusion on the issue, there is no difference whatsoever. We just went over this. Hayakawa was never approached and no offer was made. This is the opposite of what Sestak claimed. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/186 "2010-05-30T05:16:38Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > [Bush’s ethics lawyer on the issue](http://mediamatters.org/blog/201005250033): > > It is flat out laughable and transparently partisan and desperate to try to spin this as a crime. It never even would have occurred to me to try to paint this as an impeachable offense when Bush and Reagan did it, and it wasn’t because I wasn’t open to finding angles for attack. > > This is over, man. There’s a Goddamn volcano of oil fucking up the Gulf of Mexico right now. Let’s worry about that instead of how we can get Barack Obama on some contrived technicality. I have no doubt it’s done all the time but when Sestak made a public admission it’s not something you get to ignore because “everybody does it”. It’s along the lines of someone hiring a babysitter and not paying social taxes. It’s a truly stupid thing to admit. Just because I point out it is a violation of law doesn’t mean I assign a lot of weight to it. Unless the President was stupid enough to leave a paper trail it’s never going to get past “he said/she said”. Obviously they had their ducks in a row with Sestak because he clammed up until the letter was released. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/187 "2010-05-30T05:22:34Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > We just went over this. Hayakawa was never approached and no offer was made. This is the opposite of what Sestak claimed. A job offer was made to Hayakawa, and it was refused. No job offer was made to Sestak. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/188 "2010-05-30T05:23:34Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I have no doubt it’s done all the time but when Sestak made a public admission it’s not something you get to ignore because “everybody does it”. No, you ignore it because it’s not illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/189 "2010-05-30T05:33:40Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > A job offer was made to Hayakawa, and it was refused. > > No job offer was made to Sestak. Hayakawa specifically stated that he was never approached. Kinda hard to offer someone a job without talking to him. Sestak, on the other hand, said a job had been offered to him. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/190 "2010-05-30T05:53:00Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Hayakawa specifically stated that he was never approached. Kinda hard to offer someone a job without talking to him… Such charming naiveté! They do it all the time! A brief mention on the nightly news suggests the Sen Blutarsky is being considered for the top job in the Dept of Pointless Symbolism. Depending on the level of urgency, it is either a rumor floating about or attributed to a highly placed source. Sen Blutarsky is either a) humbled but honored by such a notion, but stands ready to aid the President in any way he may see fit or b) cannot consider such an honor, due to his sworn commitment to the people back home in Whereverthefuck. Its done this way so that all parties concerned can conduct negotiations with total denial as the fallback option, if, for instance, college records for Sen Blutarksy involving ladders and sorority windows should suddenly surface, or Sen Throckmorton swears to disembowel himself on the Senate floor if Sen Blutarsky’s name is offered in nomination. Stuff like that. You don’t already know this stuff? Really? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/191 "2010-05-30T05:56:01Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > You don’t already know this stuff? Really? I do, Sestak doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/192 "2010-05-30T06:00:08Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Hayakawa specifically stated that he was never approached. Kinda hard to offer someone a job without talking to him. Pretty easy, actually. Ed Rollins managed it no problem. > [@](#): > > Sestak, on the other hand, said a job had been offered to him. No he didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/193 "2010-05-30T06:01:48Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Such charming naiveté! They do it all the time! > > A brief mention on the nightly news suggests the Sen Blutarsky is being considered for the top job in the Dept of Pointless Symbolism. Depending on the level of urgency, it is either a rumor floating about or attributed to a highly placed source. > > Sen Blutarsky is either a) humbled but honored by such a notion, but stands ready to aid the President in any way he may see fit or b) cannot consider such an honor, due to his sworn commitment to the people back home in Whereverthefuck. > > Its done this way so that all parties concerned can conduct negotiations with total denial as the fallback option, if, for instance, college records for Sen Blutarksy involving ladders and sorority windows should suddenly surface, or Sen Throckmorton swears to disembowel himself on the Senate floor if Sen Blutarsky’s name is offered in nomination. Stuff like that. > > You don’t already know this stuff? Really? Just wanted to let you know I got the _Animal House_ reference. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/194 "2010-05-30T08:22:33Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Pretty easy, actually. Ed Rollins managed it no problem. > > No he didn’t. :rolleyes: Did. The thread started with it. \*\*Sestak acknowledged in an interview in February that he was offered a position by an unnamed White House official - a potential violation of federal law - but has not offered any specifics on conversation. Republicans are trying to use the issue against Sestak in the November Senate race. “It’s interesting. I was asked a question about something that happened months earlier, and I felt that I should answer it honestly, and that’s all I had to say about it.” Sestak said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Anybody else has to decide on what they will say upon their role. That’s their responsibility.” Yet Sestak confirmed to NBC’s David Gregory that the incident did take place. “I was offered a job, and I answered that,” Sestak said. “Anything that goes beyond that is for others to talk about.” \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/195 "2010-05-30T16:39:35Z")
He was not offered a job. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/196 "2010-05-30T18:25:30Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > He was not offered a job. It then becomes interesting to consider why he - along with Arlen Specter - said that he was. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/197 "2010-05-30T20:20:08Z")
How would Specter know? Sestak said he was offered a “position.” it turns out it was unpaid, so it wasn’t a “job” even if Sestak sloppily used that word. Just to be clear, though, it’s not illegal either way, so the distinction is ultimately irrelevant. All Presidents have done it, including St. Ronnie. Find a different scandal. Maybe Obama will put ketchup on his hotdog or something. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2010, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/198 "2010-05-30T22:27:04Z")
[QUOTE=Macgiver] …Sestak, on the other hand, said a job had been offered to him. [/QUOTE] Today, _Talking Points Memo_ [http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/sestak-to-reporters-theres-nothing-wrong-that-was-done.php?ref=fpb](http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/sestak-to-reporters-theres-nothing-wrong-that-was-done.php?ref=fpb) > [@](#): > > …Sestak said told reporters this afternoon that former President Bill Clinton only called him once last summer – and that they talked about the possible offer for less than a minute. > > “This is the only time,” Sestak said. “He called last summer and during the conversation he talked about how tough this Democratic primary might be if I got in. And he also said, ‘Y’know, you’ve done well in the House and your military background could really make a mark there.’” > > The suggestion, Sestak said, was that he might serve on a presidential advisory board dealing with intelligence. > > “I almost interrupted the president and said, 'Mr. President, I am gonna decide to get in this or not only depending upon what’s good for Pennsylvania working families, not an offer. And he said, ‘I knew you’d say that.’”… Are we done now? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/199 "2010-05-31T00:37:42Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Today, _Talking Points Memo_ > > [http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/sestak-to-reporters-theres-nothing-wrong-that-was-done.php?ref=fpb](http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/sestak-to-reporters-theres-nothing-wrong-that-was-done.php?ref=fpb) > > Are we done now? What part of “Sestak said he was offered a job” are you confused about? The fact that he has recanted it doesn’t mean he didn’t say it nor does it mean it didn’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604/200 "2010-05-31T01:31:37Z")
The Daily Caller (no doubt a fountain of incisive journalism) ran [this story](http://dailycaller.com/2010/05/29/sestak-couldnt-have-taken-reported-intel-post-he-says-white-house-offered-through-clinton/) (originally under the headline “Clinton Blows Job Offer”) noting that Sestak was ineligible for the job/position he was said to have been offered. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sestak-squeal/540604.md?page=11)