Editorial: Fill the blanks

Democratic Senate nominee Joe Sestak went a long way in his primary fight with Arlen Specter by stressing trust and accountability.

So the Delaware County congressman needs to be more forthcoming about his allegation that the White House offered him a job if he would stay out of the race.

When asked about the accusation, as he was again Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press, Sestak says, yes, the offer was made. But he won't say what it was, or who made it.

This too-cute-by-half stance may allow him to tout his independence and outsider credentials - important in an anti-incumbent year like this one. But by not being specific, Sestak is covering up what appears to be the ultimate insider deal - and a potential crime.

This broad-brush accusation of corruption may be unfair to the Obama administration, but the White House reaps no great sympathy thanks to its inept, infuriatingly vague approach to the issue.

For example, here's spokesman Robert Gibbs on Sunday: "[L]awyers in the White House and others have looked into conversations that were had with Congressman Sestak. And nothing - nothing inappropriate happened." How Nixonian of what was supposed to be the most open administration in history.

Let's try this approach instead: Both Sestak and the White House should release full, detailed accounts of their conversations. These accounts should include offers made, if any; the names of those who made the offers; and the names of anyone in the chain of command who was aware of any deals and approved them.

Such details might elicit a giant shrug from the electorate, and end the matter. Or they might require further investigation.

Either way, voters have a right to the facts. Make it so, Joe.