White House under fire for allegedly trying to tamper with PA Senate race

[BigBadBrian]

in no way is that wrong. the president is allowed to offer anyone he wants a position in the administration.

You're incorrect, kb. He can't bribe someone in a political race to drop out with the promise of a Federal position.

[knuckleboner]

You're incorrect, kb. He can't bribe someone in a political race to drop out with the promise of a Federal position.

what law does it break? especially if it's a "hey, if you're busy with a primary, i probably don't think you'd be focused on this job i might have. on the other hand, if you're not doing anything at the moment, i think you might be worth a look."

there's nothing in that that's illegal. you can totally argue that it's more political than it should be. but that seems about it.

[BigBadBrian]

what law does it break?

Title 18 US Code Section 600 “Whoever directly or indirectly promises any employment position, compensation, contract, appointment, or other benefit provided for or made possible in whole or in part by any Act of Congress, or any special consideration in obtaining any such benefit, to any person as consideration, in 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 … shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”

Title 18 U.S.C. Section 595 “Whoever, being a person employed in any administrative position by the United States … uses his official authority for the purposes of interfering with, or affecting the nomination of, or the election of any candidate for office of President, Vice President, Presidential elector, Member of the Senate, Member of the House of Representative…shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Title 18 U.S.C. Section 211 “Whoever solicits or receives, either as a political contribution or for personal emolument, any money or thing of value, in consideration of the promise of support or use of influence in obtaining for any person any appointive office or place under the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year or both.”

[knuckleboner]

i hear you.

but 2 important points: 1) clinton talked to him. 2) i'd bet nothing was promised. encouraging a person to drop out of a primary and expressing interest in them in a position is not quite the same thing. it's part of politics. doesn't mean you have to like it. but i think there's a reason why the republicans are pointing out that it's wrong, rather than hammering home that it's a violation of the law. they assume there's no legal case, but they're more than happy to go after the PR opinion.

[BigBadBrian]

i hear you.

but 2 important points: 1) clinton talked to him. 2) i'd bet nothing was promised. encouraging a person to drop out of a primary and expressing interest in them in a position is not quite the same thing. it's part of politics. doesn't mean you have to like it. but i think there's a reason why the republicans are pointing out that it's wrong, rather than hammering home that it's a violation of the law. they assume there's no legal case, but they're more than happy to go after the PR opinion.

There's no legal case unless Sestak gives explicit details on a job offer, which I doubt he's willing to do since he's in a neck and neck Senate Race. A House panel just may make him, though.

[knuckleboner]

yeah, but stesak's going to say clinton offered it. and bill may be many things, but he's not dumb. he would've phrased it in just the right way.

consider this slimy if you will, but i don't think there's much chance of an actual law being broken.