Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today:

“Now that DNC Chair Tim Kaine has made it clear that Joe Sestak has been a strong supporter of the Obama Administration, voters deserve to know the truth. It has been close to three months and the American public is still looking for a straight answer from the White House on whether a job offer was made to bait Joe Sestak out of the Pennsylvania Senate race and, if so, whether it still stands. It is unacceptable for an administration that touts itself as the ‘most transparent’ in history to continue to stonewall a significant and potentially devastating accusation of political corruption.  And, until a thorough and public investigation has been conducted and the air is cleared, this matter will continue to cloud the President each time he steps foot in Pennsylvania to place the establishment mantle on Joe Sestak between now and November.” – RNC Chairman Michael Steele

WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS ON REP. SESTAK CLAIM TIMELINE

2/23/10: When Asked If He Has Any Comments On Rep. Sestak’s Claims, Gibbs Says He Has “Not Looked Into This.” QUESTION: “One last thing, I'm sorry. Congressman Jeff [sic] Sestak last week said that the White House offered him a high ranking job in the administration to not run against Arlen Specter. Do you guys have any comment on that?” PRESS SEC. ROBERT GIBBS: “I was traveling for a couple of days, as you know. I have seen some stuff that he said, but I have not looked into this.” (“Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs,” The White House, 2/23/10)

• Later In The Same Briefing Gibbs Says He Will “Have Somebody Look Into” It. QUESTION: “I want to follow up on Jake's question, because on Friday, unnamed officials of this building did vociferously deny Representative Sestak's assessment that he had been offered a job.  And I just want to say, when you said, ‘I haven't looked at this,’ I want to make sure you're not contradicting that denial.” PRESS SEC. ROBERT GIBBS: “I just -- because I was on the road and dealing with different things on the road, I've not had a chance to delve into this.”  QUESTION:  “Would there be anything inappropriate about a discussion like that?”  PRESS SEC. GIBBS: “Let me have somebody look into -- like I said, I was on the road and I don't really have a whole lot of knowledge on this.” (Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, The White House, 2/23/10)

3/1/10: Gibbs Says He Has “Not Made Any Progress On” On Information Concerning Rep. Sestak’s Claims, Again Promises To “Check Into That.” QUESTION: “Thank you, Robert. Last Monday you were asked twice about the claims of Congressman Sestak, that he had been offered a high-ranking administration position and –“ PRESS SEC. ROBERT GIBBS: “I have not made any progress on that.” QUESTION: “Just to let you know, I was in touch with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon who said there was no discussion of it at all but Mr. Sestak's spokesman, Jonathon Dworkin, said the Congressman stands by his story. Can you check if the White House made any offer?” PRESS SEC. GIBBS:  “Yes, I was remiss on this and I apologize.”  QUESTION: “Can I follow up on that?” PRESS SEC. GIBBS: “There's not much to follow up on.  Let me check into that.” (Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, The White House, 3/1/10)

• Later In Same Briefing Gibbs Reiterates Pledge To “Check On The Situation.” QUESTION: “Just back on that, just very briefly, an unknown White House spokesperson did say in the Philadelphia Enquirer -- or did deny what Sestak had said three times –“ PRESS SEC. ROBERT GIBBS: “I said I would check on this. It's hard for me to do follow-ups on something I can't work through.”  QUESTION: “So at this point the White House is not ready to deny what Sestak said?”  PRESS SEC. GIBBS: “No.  I think I said I would check on the situation.” (Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, The White House, 3/1/10)

3/9/10: When Questioned On Sestak Gibbs Again Says He Will “Check And See If I Do Have Anything.” QUESTION: “A couple of quick political ones. On the Sestak issue, Arlen Specter said on another -- this afternoon that Sestak and his opinion on this allegation that he was offered a job not to run against Specter, needs to prove it, needs to back it up, and claims that Sestak's accusation is hurting the White House, damaging its reputation. You told us a couple of times you'd check back on this. Can you give us an update, number one And number two –“ PRESS SEC. ROBERT GIBBS: “I don't have the update with me, but let me check and see if I do have anything –“ QUESTION: “Do you have any evaluation of Senator Specter's comments on this?”  PRESS SEC. GIBBS: “No, I don't.” (“Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs,” The White House, 3/9/10)

3/11/10: When Asked If He Is “Ever Going To Have Anything Additional On” Sestak’s Claims, Gibbs Responds “I Don't Have It Today.” QUESTION: “One other thing, because last Tuesday you told us, ‘I don't have the update with me on Sestak.’ Two things have happened since then. Two things have happened.” PRESS SEC. ROBERT GIBBS: “I don't have any –“ QUESTION: “Darrell Issa sent a letter to the White House Counsel –“ PRESS SEC. GIBBS: “I don't have anything additional on that. Scott.” QUESTION: “Are you ever going to have anything additional on that?”  PRESS SEC. GIBBS: “I don't have it today.” (Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs,” The White House, 3/11/10)

3/12/10: Gibbs Says He Doesn’t “Have Any More Information On” The Sestak Issue. QUESTION: “And the other thing:  Do you have an answer yet on Mr. Sestak’s charge?” PRESS SEC. ROBERT GIBBS: “I don’t have any more information on that.” (Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, The White House, 3/12/10)

3/16/10: Gibbs Says He Has “Talked To Several People In The White House” On The Issue But That “Whatever Conversations Have Been Had Are Not Problematic.” QUESTION: “Robert, perhaps a sore point, but Congressman Darrell Issa has accused you, Robert Gibbs, of being part of a cover-up because you will not say whether the White House offered Joe Sestak a job for not running against Arlen Specter. Guilty or not guilty?” PRESS SEC. ROBERT GIBBS: “Look, I’ve talked to several people in the White House; I’ve talked to people that have talked to others in the White House. I’m told that whatever conversations have been had are not problematic. I think Congressman Sestak has discussed that this is -- whatever happened is in the past, and he’s focused on his primary election. Stephen.” QUESTION: “Did the White House Counsel’s Office look into whether this was a crime –“ PRESS SEC. GIBBS: “I’d refer you to my previous lines.” QUESTION: “Sestak says he was offered something.”  PRESS SEC. GIBBS: “I’ll refer you to what I just said a minute ago.” (Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, The White House, 3/16/10)