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John Bolton vs. the Moral Cowards -- The Senate confirmation process needs to be reformed
Wall Street Journal ^ | April 14, 2005 | OTTO REICH

Posted on 04/14/2005 5:47:32 AM PDT by OESY

The [Bolton hearings] unmasked the campaign which has been underway to discredit him and derail his nomination. They also demonstrated once again the need to reform the Senate confirmation process, which has become so politicized that it is not serving its constitutional purpose....

It was stated repeatedly at the hearings that Mr. Bolton and I tried to get an intelligence analyst--referred to as "Mr. Smith"--fired, or tried to block his promotion or to get him transferred. I cannot speak for Mr. Bolton (though having known him since 1981, I can attest to his integrity). But I can speak for myself: In 2002, after consulting with many of my interagency colleagues about how to handle the loss of confidence in Smith's judgment, I most certainly did complain to Smith's supervisor about the consistently unacceptable quality of his work. My actions are now being distorted and attributed to Mr. Bolton in order to harm his nomination.

Though... I'd made myself available to offer testimony, I was never summoned....

Too often those hearings are used by senators and their staff to pursue an ideological agenda and engage in personal destruction. If they cannot force a nominee to withdraw, hearings can be blocked by only one senator, while he and his staff spread scurrilous rumors about the nominee--who is unable to counter because he is told that "it will hurt your chances"....

Why is it easy for critics to believe that Executive Branch officials will "politicize" intelligence but not an analyst? Most analysts are good, but human, and humans err. When one errs consistently, and when his errors are exposed by others in the intelligence apparatus, as was the case of "Smith," then it's time for someone to step forward and say we can do better....

John Bolton... deserves to be confirmed....

(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Cuba; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 109th; bolton; confirmation; dodd; obstructionistdems; ottoreich; reich
Mr. Reich, formerly President Bush's special envoy for the Western Hemisphere, is a consultant in Washington.
1 posted on 04/14/2005 5:47:34 AM PDT by OESY
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To: OESY

The cowards are mostly on the GOP side. They continually allow themselves to be whipped by the senate RATs.


2 posted on 04/14/2005 6:09:01 AM PDT by clintonh8r (Heteronormative and PROUD!!)
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To: OESY

Anyone have the pro Bolton vote count?


3 posted on 04/14/2005 6:11:15 AM PDT by G.Mason (Lazamataz ... Missing since posting freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/635809/posts?q=1&&page=386#386 ...)
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To: OESY

This was an excellent article.

One of the things that I learned from other reading is that the "Mr. Smith" in question was the one who consistently misread and minimized - possibly even wilfully - the threat posed by Chavez and the resurgence of the virulent left in Latin America. Hence, he was to a great extent responsible for our failure to aggressively support Venezuelans who were working against Chavez, be prepared for Castro's sudden surge in influence, etc.

I think that's worth getting a little angry about!


4 posted on 04/14/2005 6:12:24 AM PDT by livius
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To: clintonh8r

You bet! The GOPers better stand up for this guy or they will regret it.

"If you fear being conquered, your defeat is certain." -Napoleon


5 posted on 04/14/2005 6:14:59 AM PDT by RexBeach ("I can see it now. You and the moon. You wear a necktie so I'll know you." -Groucho Marx)
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To: OESY

the LIBERALS ideas are USELESS, that's why they resort to denigration at hearings and pie throwing at conservatives. Their day is DONE!!!


6 posted on 04/14/2005 6:16:25 AM PDT by Jazzman1
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To: G.Mason

I think it's split down party lines, with Chaffee being the GOP weak sister. I think that's why the RATs got an extension...to have a few more days to work on Chaffee. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he folds.


7 posted on 04/14/2005 6:20:30 AM PDT by clintonh8r (Heteronormative and PROUD!!)
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To: clintonh8r

Thanks ... I think. ;)


8 posted on 04/14/2005 6:28:31 AM PDT by G.Mason (Lazamataz ... Missing since posting freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/635809/posts?q=1&&page=386#386 ...)
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To: OESY
John Bolton vs. the Moral Cowards -- The Senate confirmation process needs to be reformed

The correct title should be "John Bolton vs. the Moral Cowards -- The Senate needs to be reformed".
9 posted on 04/14/2005 7:02:55 AM PDT by DustyMoment (FloriDUH - proud inventors of pregnant/hanging chads and judicide!!)
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To: clintonh8r

No kiddin ! The majority acts like a minority when its the GOP.


10 posted on 04/14/2005 7:23:30 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: OESY
Though... I'd made myself available to offer testimony, I was never summoned....

Can any member summon a witness to testify? If so I think Coleman or Allen should ask that he come up and do so.

11 posted on 04/14/2005 7:28:36 AM PDT by OXENinFLA
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To: OESY
The Senate confirmation process needs to be reformed

True, but don't to the the Republicans to step forward and do it. Their gonads are far too small, practically non-existent it seems.

12 posted on 04/14/2005 7:30:12 AM PDT by prairiebreeze (Does my American flag offend you? Dial 1-800-LEAVE THE USA!)
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To: OESY

It's scary when the Dems believe the UN interests are more important they THEIR OWN COUNTRY'S INTEREST


13 posted on 04/14/2005 7:32:07 AM PDT by Mo1 ("Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn't misuse it" ~ Pope John Paul II)
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To: OXENinFLA

The only reason I can think of that Allen or Coleman haven't called Reich, is because they REALLY want to get off that subject and talk about the UN---and if they bring him in, it would just "legitimize" this spurious complaint of the Dems---


14 posted on 04/14/2005 9:46:04 AM PDT by Txsleuth (Mark Levin for Supreme Court Justice!)
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To: livius
One of the things that I learned from other reading is that the "Mr. Smith" in question was the one who consistently misread and minimized - possibly even wilfully - the threat posed by Chavez and the resurgence of the virulent left in Latin America. Hence, he was to a great extent responsible for our failure to aggressively support Venezuelans who were working against Chavez, be prepared for Castro's sudden surge in influence, etc. I think that's worth getting a little angry about!
What you say adds up. As a former ambassador to Venezuela Amb. Reich was in a position to really understand what was happening. He also said in this piece:
...I most certainly did complain to Smith's supervisor about the consistently unacceptable quality of his work. My actions are now being distorted and attributed to Mr. Bolton in order to harm his nomination.

15 posted on 04/14/2005 3:28:34 PM PDT by Ooh-Ah
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To: OESY

Great article , thanks for the post.


16 posted on 04/14/2005 3:32:28 PM PDT by Irish Eyes
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