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Gleason right to demand Jobgate answers

by Michael Steele

President Obama and his Chicago-style network of cronies have in fact lowered the transparency bar in Washington instead of raising it. Not only has it undermined the Obama presidency, it also continues to undermine politicians like Joe Sestak who pretend to battle the establishment when in fact they’ve been serving as its first line of defense.

It seems as though every day we learn something new about how ethically challenged this White House truly is. From the Cornhusker Kickback and other crooked deals used to pass ObamaCare, to the more recent scandals over White House job offers to political candidates, each new ethical lapse discredits President Obama’s empty campaign rhetoric about “changing” Washington.

According to the National Journal, recent polling suggests that a majority of Americans think the job offer to Congressman Sestak was either unethical or illegal and “a wide majority of both GOP voters (76&) and independents (58%) said they believe there should be an independent investigation into jobs discussions.”

Pennsylvanians, like most Americans, want answers on Mr. Sestak’s dealings with the White House and discrepancies over exactly how many times they reached out to him during his campaign. If nothing illegal happened, there is no reason not to allow an independent investigation to answer these questions.

Now the administration that promised they would change the way business is done in Washington is claiming “business-as-usual” as an excuse. But no matter how many backroom deals come to light, when it comes to ensuring the law has not been broken we should address each issue on its merits and demand all the facts—starting with answers to all the questions surrounding Joe Sestak and the job he was offered by the White House to exit his bid for the U.S. Senate.

Pennsylvania GOP chairman Rob Gleason began this process last week by filing a Right-to-Know request. It was the right step to take.

The writer is chairman of the Republican National Committee.

June 21, 2010 at 12:30 pm

--Michael Steele

Tags: Republican Party

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