Bill Clinton offered post to Sestak at request of Rahm Emanuel, White House says

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Former President Clinton called Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) last summer at the request of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to offer him a position on a senior executive branch advisory committee, the White House announced Friday.

The position would have allowed Sestak to remain serving in the House.

Further, he would not have run against Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) if he’d accepted.

Sestak rejected the offer of the unpaid position, according to a memorandum prepared by the White House counsel’s office.

Sestak went on to defeat Specter in the Democratic primary for the Senate on May 18.

Rumors that the job offered to Sestak was secretary of the Navy are false, according to the White House memorandum.

The White House wanted to avoid a divisive Senate primary, according to the report, and also wanted Sestak to remain in the House to avoid a tough battle for his seat.

-- Colby Itkowitz

Related in Top of the Ticket: Bill Clinton was White House conduit to Sestak in failed bid to save Specter. Next, Bill tries to rescue Blanche Lincoln