Posted on 04/22/2005 8:59:56 AM PDT by Impeach98
Washington - Ohio Republican Sen. George Voinovich says he is surprised by the fuss he stirred with his unexpected announcement Tuesday that he wasn't prepared to vote to confirm John Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations.
But if Voinovich has any regrets for single-handedly forcing a delay in Bolton's confirmation, he's not showing it.
"I feel real good," he said Thursday. "My conscience told me this is what I think I should do."
Voinovich, answering questions briefly from reporters Thursday, said he planned to vote for Bolton before Tuesday's meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee because he felt reassured by an earlier private meeting with Bolton in which he asked many hard questions about foreign policy.
Voinovich said he changed his mind for various reasons, including "hearing some things that bothered me" at the committee meeting.
He cited complaints about Bolton's interpersonal relationships that made him question whether Bolton treats people "with dignity and respect."
Voinovich said he also was disturbed by the outrage on the faces of Democrats on the panel who complained that they weren't being given a chance to examine allegations about Bolton.
"This was very serious business," said Voinovich.
"These are guys who have been on this committee for a long time."
Voinovich said he feared that failing to give Democrats a chance to explore their concerns could undermine "a sense of decency" that often has prevailed on the foreign relations panel and "do real damage to the possibility of having a bipartisan foreign policy."
He felt that Bolton and the Bush administration would be better off if questions about the nomination were resolved by the committee.
The alternative, he said, was a "free-for-all" on the Senate floor.
Voinovich, who has periodically infuriated conservatives by straying from the party line, declined to say whether he is being pressured by the White House to support Bolton. And he laughed off a question about whether GOP colleagues are upset with him.
"My colleagues know I'm the same old George," he said.
A California-based conservative group, Move America Forward, has mounted a radio advertising campaign in Ohio criticizing Voinovich's action.
Voinovich spokeswoman Marcie Ridgway said the senator's office is getting a steady stream of e-mails and phone calls on the Bolton issue, with response split between people supporting and opposing Voinovich's action.
Most of the calls and e-mails are from outside Ohio, she said.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
eauster@plaind.com, 216-999-4212
Contribute to Ad Campaign to Hold Voinovich's Feet to the Fire
Contact Senator Voinovich's top staffers and explain your support for Bolton and disappointment with the Senator's conduct:
dana_smullen@voinovich.senate.gov
Aric_Newhouse@voinovich.senate.gov
Phil_Park@voinovich.senate.gov
Scott Milburn@voinovich.senate.gov
Marcie_Ridgway@voinovich.senate.gov
My view is that we don't need a UN Ambassador. We certainly don't need one who is going to be a patsy for the status quo.
Trouble is, MARCIE, those supporting his actions are DEMOCRATS.......
they are NOT the people that put his traitorous butt in office.
John Bolton does share our view.
So we either fight for him or bitch here at FR for the next few years about what a sycophant of a UN ambassador we have (ala John Danforth).
"Sen. George Voinovich admits to being out of touch with his constituents"
If you can't do the job get out.
BTW can I ask for my money back?
Yep, that brown stuff dripping from Voinovich's ears is BS.
I had already written him about this. Not only was his stance disgusting but admittedly holding the whole process up while he played catch-up due to missing meetings so he could go get his face in with the President on a dedication. Sorry for the run-on but I couldn't stop it. ;o)
I normally agree with you about emails - when their sent to the "office" account. But you get a few thousand emails in the accounts of the Chief of Staff and Press Secretary (as listed above) and it will make an impact :)
I was going to post the phone number too but last I heard they were forwarding it to a full voice mailbox. Don't know if that is the case this morning... will go check.
In the meantime, I hope everyone follows your advice on the FAX. I am checking out that link now. The Voinovich FAX number in DC is (202) 228-1382 and his district office FAX numbers can be FOUND HERE - CLICK
They're always surprised. That's because they're clueless.
It seems to me that Voinovish has little experience with his conscience. I found his comment, "My conscience told me this is what I think I should do." telling. Sounds to me like his brain told him this is what he thinks he should do probably after THINKING about what other lawmakers have wispered into his ear. Not sure that his conscience has anything to do with this one.
Conscience? A congressman/sentor? ROFLMAO! Now, that is funny.
Ditto. Perfectly said.
Ohio ping.
"Who, li'l old me?" Voinovich, the peacock, seems to like the adoration of the democrats more than the responsibility for reigning in a UN intent on destroying his country.
He also said, besides that he was following his conscience, that the Holy Spirit moved him to withhold his vote on Tuesday, pending further exploration of the allegations raised by the Democrat members of the committee.
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