He accrues this good will as a result of his years of service. Good people can agree to disagree about how he conducted himself while on active duty - but you have to give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his word as a Flag Officer.
That is one reason why Joe Sestak the politician is seen all the time - though he is a SWO and not a flyer - walking around in an aviator's nomex flight jacket from his days as a Carrier Strike Group Commander. He wants to remind everyone that he is a man of integrity and clear speaking as any good Navy officer is.
That is, of course, until now.
Byron York outlines the corner Sestak has painted himself in.
There are three presidential boards in the White House. One is the intelligence board. Another is the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, which is made up, according to its by-laws, of members "who shall be appointed by the President, from among individuals not employed by the federal government." The third is the recently created President's Management Advisory Board, whose members, the by-laws say, "shall be appointed by the President from among distinguished citizens from outside the federal government."Whatever happens with the Senate election in PA this fall; from here on out, Sestak is better seen from a "word" point of view as a politician and not that of a former Flag Officer.
Even a lesser group, like the recently recast President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, is made up of "distinguished individuals and representatives from sectors outside of the federal government."
Rep. Sestak would be ineligible for all of them.
...
The bottom line is Sestak, as a member of Congress, could not have served on most, if not all, of the boards the White House claims it considered for him. Did the politically savvy Obama team really not know that? Or is the White House not telling us something?
Sad, but accurate. It is a decision Sestak has made, we should honor that. If you think different of Congressman Sestak, let me know. Either way though, I think the nomex jacket should go - a sports coat or barn coat is a more appropriate casual look from here on out.
47 comments:
I am of the opinion that Mr. Sestak knew exactly what he was doing when he let "slip" the comment about being offered a job. The Senator is an old hand at playing Byzantine Court, far more so than the folks in the White House. Anyone who survives a tour in the upper echelons of any of the services knows exactly how the game is played.
I see his revelation about a quid pro quo as being a slight wound from a swordsman. A little nick to let the opponent know who is playing with whom.
In the meantime, there's been another revelation that the White House pulled the same stunt in another district, and the question now becomes "How many more are out there?"
It's always the little things that trip up those who think they are oh so clever. It's not even the crime so much as the cover-up afterward that does people in.
Just ask Nixon.
Yeah, like Nixon.
Or like Reagan, who did the exact same thing numerous times.
IMO the same should be said about McCain. With all due respect for his military service, that was then, this is now. McCain is a politician thru-and-thru; a lying, capitulating career politician. Illegal Immigration is probably the most flagrant (and fragrant) example.
Go home John.
He wears that jacket because the vast majority of Americans deeply honor those who volunteer for the military. Even in the very most liberal states, veterans are honored. I hope Sestak loses in a landslide, but the fact that he stresses his service is an indicator that it still counts for a lot, and that pleases me.
Dude - focus.
Sestak is a douche and he traded a pair of Lox boots for the jacket. (My Nomex Flight Jacket (Aviators Summer) hangs in my closet...
MTH, Hey, I have a Nomex jacket and a pair of LOX boots too. I wear the jacket all the time because it and (especially) its "Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club" patch make the former hippies who live up here uncomfortable.
Joe might be a d!ck and a epic one at that. However he's no dummy when it comes to playing politics. He got the offer and knew letting it slip would put the WH on the defense. However now he needs the cash from WH and suddenly it didn't happen.
Good for you, sir!
You're probably right with your first comment. Don't forget that Sestak doesn't owe this White House anything. He supported Hillary during the 2008 campaign and closed ranks after she dropped out. He was led to believe that he would be the Democratic Senate candidate this year until Specter changed parties and the "politically savvy" WH team decided to cast him aside.
As for funds, Sestak has a strong fund raising organization and it's unlikely that the Democratic Senate Campaign organization is going to short-change him as long as he remains competitive against Toomey. Having Obama's support may not be a good thing this fall either.
Byron, I've made a point of upsetting hippies for years. While attending DCA School on Treasure Island as an Ensign, my wife and I lived in Berkeley, CA, a couple of blocks south of the Cal campus. For nine weeks I made sure I went to and from work every morning in uniform.
I spent a LOT of time around Washington and Capitol Hill over the years. I don't believe for one second that a former President and a United States Representative didn't know that Members of Congress are ineligible to serve on Presidential Advisory Boards. I do believe that a job was offered, and I suspect that it was SecNav, or ASecNav. And I'm sure the bait was carefully chosen to appeal to the offeree as the opportunity to redress perceived grievances. That the offer wasn't accepted probably came as a surprise to those from the Chicago streets. After all, isn't that how they do business?
You said a mouthful, Marine6.
I am with you 100%. It is absurdly naive to think either the WH or Sestak didn't know every card in that deck.
Someone below mentioned the existence of at least two other "deals" which are felonies, by the way, under the influence-peddling laws. And that ain't countin' Blago and his auction of BHO's Senate seat.
Much bigger and potentially more damaging than Watergate, but the "D" in front of the names involved will almost guarantee gentle and friendly media coverage, what there is of it.
I won't go so far as to question his integrity, but since you brought up the issue of his jacket, I thought those were controlled items/organizational clothing which is to be turned in and accounted for when you check out of a command.
'Phib, it looks like focus is not his problem. I certainly see nothing wrong with calling Juan as he sees the man. McCain has dishonored his service as a Naval Officer, by his lack of principles as a politician.
You can buy one at any Army-Navy store. A lot of people don't like wearing other people's nasty outerwear. Some of the organizational issue stuff is gross.
Got to be SecNav.
Maybe I give too much credit... but anyone here think it's funny ol' Bill Clinton is in the middle of this one?
The good admiral would recognize a sinking ship when he sees one. Such a nice chance to taint this administration. And Sestak holds onto his honor and campaigns for the Clintons in 2012. And if she's elected, Hillary gives him a position in a rightful fashion. He may be holding out for the long game.
They may all be more clever and Byzantine than we think. (Or maybe not....)
Ol' Bill would know the best way to wound your opponent is from inside his perimeter.
So, what say ye about Murtha? Or Kerry?
They are politicians, not sure any of them have principles. All I see is lust for power and a do whatever it takes to stay in office. The good of the people is the last thing on their minds unless it gets them more votes. There might be a few good ones but I am thinking the majority only care about themselves.
I don't see the connection from how present day actions cause dishonor to creditable service in the past. What do you want to do go back and change his DD-214?
What kind of politician is it who knows how to play, but isn't too particular about the rules? Or the goals?
Just askin'...
<span>C-dore, the Lox boots comment was meant tongue in cheek. Time was that only a good trader could get the Filipino mafia to cough up a pair from a supply locker. I hope you keep on wearing the jacket.. they work on cool days and any time you can piss off a hippie, well that earns money.
Sestak is still a douche... </span>
concur sista
good, but why are we ignoring the mark kirk issue?
he lies about his service, lies about his awards, he claims to have gone to afghanistan on annual training orders-WTF?
If you can't find the Mark Kirk issue in the news media, you aren't looking very hard.
And where does that story rank against a White House whose staff or Chief Executive had awareness of, if not were party to, the commission of a felony under 18 USC 211? Hardly equivalent.
well, didnt see anything about mark kirk on here.
i thought we called out all people who inflate their service and lie about their awards. apparently thats ok with you.
Awww, ain't he cute?
One day he might grow up to be a real troll....
thought we would call out dishonorable officers, instead we're worried about whether sestak paid for his flight jacket or not. lame. ask for the receipt, you'll get it about the same time as the birth certificate. and none of us have gear adrift at home, right?
i understand that the sestak issue is a twofer, as everyone can carry on their personal vendetta against him because he was an a-hole, and we also get to slam the prez. some need that because they cant get over a black president.
meanwhile kirk gets a pass (why, because he's republican?)
if we had honor, we would call him out for his lies.
I'd argue the point with you, but since I just took a shower and I don't care to get muddy wrestling in the mud, I'll leave you to it.
URR, You are certainly correct that there is plenty of information out there about Mark Kirk and that his case really isn't equivalent with the one being discussed here. However, anon does have a point. Kirk's situation is similar to that of bogus "Vietnam vet" Richard Blumenthal, who was worthy of a post here. I disdain anyone who attempts to gain advantage by making false claims about their military service regardless of their political affiliation.
MTH, Got my first pair via our LAMPS Det OinC when I was an XO and wore them until the elastic gave out. The CAG in AMERICA got me my second, which lasted through my last two deployments. Will continue to wear my flight jacket (which still sports the DESRON patch) until it falls apart. It is, however, a bit more threadbare than the one I see Sestak wearing.
anon, Think you've missed the point. Also, are you implying that any criticism of the President must now be rejected as "racist"?
The Sestak "deal" was poorly handled by a White House that should have known better by this point in their administration. My guess is that they promised Specter that they'd "clear the decks" of any primary opposition and were fulfilling that promise. What they didn't expect is that Sestak wasn't going to go along with the deal. My problem with the whole thing is that they didn't admit to it right away but, rather, got wrapped around the axle trying to get their story straight. Not the "new politics" many were expecting when they voted for Obama.
Never said he was any better, Commodore. To hell with both of them.
But this particular post was about a possible felony being committed at the highest levels of this government.
URR, You're correct about that. My concern is that there's a tendency these days to point out the flaws of the opposing party while ignoring those of the one we might support.
Kirk isn't getting a pass because he is a Republican. His story has gotten some play in Illinois news. It hasn't reached the level of getting much national coverage because it does not have national implications. A WH covering up a potential felony seems to get a little more interest than some liberal congressman (Kirk) inflating his resume.
No one here cares that the president is of mixed race ethnicity. Most of us have problems with some of his policy decisions. People will not take you seriously when you throw out accusations of racism with no foundation. Similarly, no one takes you too seriously when the best screen name your imagination can create is anon.
A tangential thought...
Even if the job offers didn't come from the President (that's an assumption I don't believe, by the way), and rather his Chief of Staff or Deputy Chief of Staff, he is still responsible. Were this a Navy command with the Pres as CO, he would still be held accountable for the actions of those under him. This is one of the most basic tenants of responsibilities even junior Petty Officers learn through experience or training. It's comforting to know that we hold ourselves to higher standards than the pols, usually.
As much of a buffoonery as the Executive office has become, I find it difficult to believe they didn't know of a Congress-critter's ineligibility to serve on an advisory board. SecNav makes sense.
I'd I may defend myself a bit; this blog has covered Sestak since he was on active duty. This is a Sestak story. I do not cover Kirk. I let the comment stand, therefor the issue was brought up. Politics is a secondary subjest here. Anon is not a regular reader but a (D) drone, so I don't expect him/her to get that.
oh I get it all right. pointed it out here because I didnt think I had sufficient rights to start a new thread. but this blog used to be about holding senior officers (and others) accountable and pointing out questionable policy decisions. now its simply shilling for the republican party- make george bush your friend! go after sestak and anything obama does! but ignore kirk becuase he is on our team.
it used to be that anyone who claimed awards or combat experience they were not entitled to was called out big time as they should be.
kirk claiming combat experience when he has none cheapens my service over there.
if members of this blog had integrity, they would be all over him.
done for the night, I have a hockey game to watch.
Phib, was that you? Are you now a guest on your own blog?
And no, he/she didn't get it.
Yep, that was me. Using a new bit of equipment ... and Anon, dude, decaf.
Oh, and anon ... you're coming from San Diego. If you're Curtis, and you are sounding like Curtis when he is mad ... then at least admit it.
Quartermaster:
I absolutely disagree w/you. McCain has never dishonored his service as a Naval Officer. Are you kidding me?
I don't like some of his moderate positions, but he's never waivered on the War on Terror, being one of Bush 43's best supporters, and he's never waivered on being Pro-life, two biggee's for me.
I didn't like his gang of 15, or his campaign finance legistation, but none of that, the good and the bad, did anything to diminish is Military service, including his time as POW.
Sal-
very good research on the SD location, I would be more impressed if you used the time/effort to 'splain why kirk gets a pass!
if you mean admiral curtis, no sorry, someone else
no decaf here, only strong Navy coffee
why is this so under reported in the media? A CRIME was committed.
Why, in a post about Sestak and the Prez involved in a likely felony, should Phib even mention that idiot Kirk, other than to satisfy far-left shills such as yourself?
You would think someone in San Diego would have better things to do than troll around being an unabashed apologist for the radical left.
URR-
just temporarily hijacked the discussion to call attention to it since I cant start a thread.
no far left shill, just want to call out the d-bags on both sides on the equation.
why should kirk get a pass?
Kirk isn't getting a pass. Get it through your thick skull:
Kirk BS-ing war record = stupid, but molehill
BHO and Emanuel influence peddling with Sestak and others = criminal, and MOUNTAIN.
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