March 16, 2010
Rep Sestak refused to state who offered him the job
Robert Gibbs is still ducking the question about Rep Sestak’s claim that he was offered a job in the administration if he didn’t challenge Sen Arlen Specter in the senate primary. On Friday (12th), both Specter and Sestak were on Newsradio WSBA in York, PA – (Sestak followed Specter) and the radio hosts tried to get Sestak to admit who offered him a job. Sestak refused. It’s clear at least to me from his words that he was offered a deal and the culprit was Rahm Emanuel. My interpretation. Follow the link above to listen for yourself. Gibbs’ one sentence video response on the 12th is in the same post.
It would have been nice to hear Specter’s exact words because there was a suggestion from the hosts that if an offer was made and Sestak didn’t report it he’d be guilty of a felony….and so would Gibbs if he knew about it and said nothing – hence his dodge.
Didn’t see a transcript from the 15th if there was one.
Not aware of Rep Issa’s accusations.
Bill.
Q Robert, perhaps a sore point, but Congressman Darrell Issa has accused you, Robert Gibbs, of being part of a cover-up because you will not say whether the White House offered Joe Sestak a job for not running against Arlen Specter. Guilty or not guilty?
MR. GIBBS: Look, I’ve talked to several people in the White House; I’ve talked to people that have talked to others in the White House. I’m told that whatever conversations have been had are not problematic. I think Congressman Sestak has discussed that this is — whatever happened is in the past, and he’s focused on his primary election.
Stephen.
Q Did the White House Counsel’s Office look into whether this was a crime –
MR. GIBBS: I’d refer you to my previous lines.
Q Sestak says he was offered something.
MR. GIBBS: I’ll refer you to what I just said a minute ago.
And that was it.
