Friday, February 19, 2010

Some big news from Sestak

There is not a day that goes by that we are not inundated with e-mails, voice-mails and other missives from the campaign staff of Congressman Joe Sestak.

They are a most industrious lot.

Which is why it’s surprising we did not get a buzz from them yesterday – despite the fact that the maverick Democrat was making some news.

Sestak, the two-term congressman who is spitting in the eye of the state and national Democratic brass in his bid to snag the U.S. Senate nomination away from Arlen Specter, sat down for an interview with longtime local newsman Larry Kane.

During the taping of the Comcast show, Larry Kane: Voice of Reason, Sestak made a rather startling claim.

Sestak apparently intimated that someone in the White House offered him a job if he would get out of the race.

It’s no secret that Democrats would like Sestak to bow out of his uphill campaign against Specter. Once the senior senator made his switch from the GOP last spring, he was welcomed with open arms by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell. It looked like a clear skate to the nomination. But no one bothered to tell Sestak. He had been approached about running against Specter when Arlen was still in the GOP. He first said no, then changed his mind. When Arlen switched, Sestak was asked to step aside. He declined, and didn’t mind saying he didn’t like the way the whole thing was being shoved down the party’s throat.

Now this tantalizing nugget. Sestak, who spent a career in the Navy, retired as an admiral. He gave a “no comment” when Kane pressed him on the possibility of being offered secretary of the Navy.

Sestak says he declined the offer and is vowing to stay in the race, despite increased pressure to get out, most recently from state GOP boss T.J. Rooney.

There’s no word from the White House of the story. My guess is they’re not thrilled about this latest Sestak brush fire.

We’ll see if they’re willing to talk today.

We’ll also check in with the Sestak camp.

If we don’t hear from them first.

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