UPDATE ON POSSIBLE WHITE HOUSE LAW-BREAKING

Back on February 22nd, Jeffrey Lord had a piece in the American Spectator that was rooted in some very strong arguments that the Obama adminstration's Chicago-style politics may have crossed the line of illegality. The strongest case may have involved the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania. Arlen Specter's opponent, Joe Sestak admitted that he was offered a job to back out of the race. The position offered is believed to have been Secretary of the Navy.

There was another case, involving Denver Senator Michael Bennet and Andrew Romanoff back in August. Coupled with the recent Sestak revelation, eyebrows have been raised.

You can read the American Spectator piece here.

Now we have an editorial update thanks to the Washington Times, in which Lord's piece is referenced:

Mr. Lord explained why, at the very least, the Justice Department should open a preliminary inquiry into these claims. He said that investigators should subpoena records of e-mails and phone calls "between the White House, Sestak, Specter, Romanoff and Bennet."

These sorts of "he said, she said" allegations are very difficult to prove, and there are all sorts of gray areas that can mean hints of jobs were inappropriate rather than illegal. Still, the allegations appear to come from credible sources, either directly from elected officials of long-standing or from people very close to those officials. An investigation should be mandatory.

At first blush, one might be inclined to be dismissive of this story, citing no means of enforcing any law that may have been broken. They'd have a point.

However, the current political climate is changing in a way not kind to politicians in general and Democrats in particular. Charlie Rangel stepping down from his chairmanship, New York Governor David Paterson announcing he will not run for re-election amid calls he step down now, and Democrat Representative Eric Massa is leaving as well amid a scandal involving a male staffer. Then, of course, there's Evan Bayh's exodus.

There are indicators all around us of continued disenchantment with career politicians as well. The most recent example is courtesy of the Texas Republican gubernatorial primary. Incumbent, yes, but Rick Perry seized the Tea Party mantle early on - despite what the Medina supporters say - and sent Kay Bailey back to Washington. How long she stays there depends on how willing she is to honor her promise to resign if she lost to Perry. The clock is ticking on that one but don'w hold your breath....

Throw on top of all this the fact that Obama is leading the charge to use reconciliation to pass health care despite the American people overwhelmingly rejecting it. If Democrats are dropping like flies - via elections or resignations - even though they have strong majorities in both houses of congress as well as in the executive branch, the possibility that this White House could be held accountable for any criminal activity may be even more viable if the Democrats go "nuclear" on health care.

Some may argue that reconciliation in this instance is not equivalent to the "nuclear option" because it's only being applied to this bill but the fallout, if it is used, may just end up being radioactive. If this option is used and the story about alleged White House criminal activity somehow gets more traction, Tea Party majorities in both houses of congress in 2011 could make things very interesting for the Obama administration.

Read the whole thing.