From the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER:
(Bob Martin is a former Inquirer reporter and editor)
…[Joe] Sestak, appearing on Larry Kane: Voice of Reason on Comcast last Sunday, was asked, “Is it true that you were offered a high-ranking job in the administration in a bid to get you to drop out of the primary against Arlen Specter?” Sestak told Kane, “Yes.”..
“I was asked a direct question yesterday and I answered it honestly,” Sestak told Fox News…
…. Sestak is honest to a fault. And the fault is this: Should he prevail over Specter in the primary, Republicans will beat Sestak relentlessly with 18 USC Sec. 211, the federal statute titled “Bribery, Graft and Conflicts of Interest,” which states: “Whoever solicits or receives . . . any . . .. 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.”…
The GOP argument would be that if Sestak witnessed a crime, he has an obligation to report it – even if it means ratting out White House political operatives….
Sestak didn’t make it easy for himself, but he did it right.
Click here to read the full article.
In order for 18 USC 211 (Bribery, Graft, and Conflicts of Interest) to be violated, the person helping Sestak get a high administrative post would have to “solicit or receive” something of value from Sestak.
But Sestak wasn’t asked to turn over the candidacy to the person offering him the job. He was expected to abandon his candidacy, without anyone in particular gaining a benefit.
It’s no different than requiring a rich man to put his stock holdings in a blind trust while he holds public office. Having control of those assets is something of value – but it’s not going to the person offering the job.