On Friday the Obama administration delivered its "official response" on what the president has dubbed "the Sestak issue." But that response, in the form of a memo by White House Counsel Robert F. Bauer, raises more questions that need to be answered before we can believe that what transpired was "fully consistent with the relevant law and ethical requirements" as the administration claims.

Question #10
Why did Representative Joe Sestak (D-Pennsylvania) say yes when asked if he was offered a "high-ranking federal job" to end his primary challenge?
If, as all parties now claim, the job offered was a non-paying position on a Presidential Advisory Board; why would Mr. Sestak say the offer was a "high-ranking federal job?" As a current member of Congress, Mr. Sestak certainly knows the difference between being tossed an insignificant bone and being offered a position at the highest level of government.

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The political future for those named Reid and running for office in Nevada looks very bleak indeed. In the latest Mason-Dixon poll, Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada) is trailing his most likely general election opponent, former chairman of the Nevada Republican Party Sue Lowden, by a 46% to 38% margin. (source) The senator's son, gubernatorial candidate Rory Reid (D), is far behind his likely Republican opponent, former federal judge Brian Sandoval, by 15 points (50% to 35%). (source)

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Senator Evan Bayh (D-Indiana) announced yesterday that he will not seek re-election in November. Mr. Bayh claimed, "My passion for service to our fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so by serving in Congress has waned," leaving many to wonder if he was checking out of politics at a very challenging time for Democrats or if he is simply switching gears and plotting a more ambitious political course. If Senator Bayh is planning a primary challenge to President Barack Obama in 2012, he may not be the only one. Here are some other possible primary contenders:

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The Associated Press is reporting that the message President Obama wants to convey in his upcoming State of the Union Address is "Yes, I get it." This in response to the repeated message sent by voters in recent New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts elections not to mention the dismal poll numbers for Mr. Obama's proposed policies and his plummeting job approval rating. But actions speak louder than words and while his speech writers diligently work on a way to make it sound like the president is listening to the American people, David Plouffe will be taking on an expanded role as an outside adviser to the White House, according to sources familiar with the plan. (source)

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Some people are indecisive by nature. Then there are those who refuse to make a decision so they can't be blamed for the result. Barack Obama fits into that second category. During his run for his party's nomination, rival Hillary Clinton charged, "In the Illinois state Senate, Senator Obama voted 130 times 'present'. That's not yes, that's not no. That's maybe." (source) The accusation of ducking the tough calls and refusing to take a stand was thought by many at the time to be nothing more than campaign spin. Now we know it wasn't. It's how this now-president tries to protect himself and his political career while avoiding his responsibilities.

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