Posted on 04/20/2005 12:52:58 PM PDT by Impeach98
Republican Accused of 'Bolton Betrayal'
(CNSNews.com) - Supporters of John Bolton are furious with Sen. George Voinovich, an Ohio Republican who joined Democrats Tuesday in expressing concern about Bolton's dealings with co-workers and underlings.
With Voinovich refusing to back Bolton for the time being, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee postponed a vote that would have sent Bolton's nomination to the full Senate for anticipated confirmation.
President Bush has nominated Bolton to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Voinovich did not attend Bolton's confirmation hearings last week, and on Tuesday, he said he didn't feel "comfortable" voting on the nomination at this time. "I think one's interpersonal skills and their relationship with their fellow man is a very important ingredient in anyone that works," Voinovich said.
Fellow Republican Senators Lincoln Chafee (R.I.) and Chuck Hagel (Neb.) also said they would rather not have the committee vote on Tuesday. Chafee was quoted as saying the "dynamic" had changed because of new "reservations" surfacing about Bolton.
But Bolton's defenders say people who once worked with Bolton are coming out of the woodwork to describe him as personally abusive in his professional relationships. The White House is standing by Bolton, calling the latest round of allegations "unfounded."
"John Bolton is exactly the person we need at the United Nations at this time," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said on Tuesday, after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee postponed its planned vote.
Move America Forward, a group that opposes the United Nations but backs Bolton, expressed outrage that a Republican Senator would refuse to back President Bush's nominee.
"Shame on Senator Voinovich," said Melanie Morgan, co-chair of Move America Forward.
"Senator Voinovich indicated he was absent from the Bolton confirmation hearings, which explains his ignorance of Mr. Bolton's qualifications to serve as a voice for America's interests at the United Nations," Morgan said.
Move America Forward said it will run radio ads criticizing Voinovich for his "obstructionist conduct" regarding Bolton.
"He has now empowered Democrat opponents of Bolton to conduct a fishing expedition to dig up every unsubstantiated charge against him as they frantically work to embarrass President Bush by once again smearing another one of his nominees," Morgan said.
Move America Forward has already aired television commercials supporting Bolton's nomination on national television networks.
"We are going to put our resources into putting the heat on Senator Voinovich until he sees the light. Standing up for American interests at the U.N. is urgent, and further delays only aid those who merrily wear the 'Blame America First' label," said Morgan.
In addition to the ad campaign, Move America Forward has also put out an alert for its members to contact Senator Voinovich's office to "register their outrage" over his actions."
"Shame on Senator Voinovich," the ad says. "After the Democrats smeared Condoleezza Rice for Secretary of State and Alberto Gonzales for Attorney General, how could Voinovich side with the Democrats in smearing John Bolton?" It suggests that Voinovich has "become a traitor to the Republican Party."
On the other side of the coin, a group that lobbied against Bolton's nomination expressed relief that the Foreign Relations Committee has heard its concerns about Bolton.
Citizens for Global Solutions says those concerns include Bolton's "lack of credibility to represent America at the United Nations; his inability to work with others; his management style and lack of respect for his superiors; and his disdain for diplomacy and contempt for international law, which will hinder his ability to represent U.S. interests at the U.N."
Don Kraus, executive vice president of Citizens for Global Solutions, thanked the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for putting principle overcame partisanship: "We applaud the committee's diligence, their understanding of the vital need for effective U.N. reform, and for the committee's continued concerns about Mr. Bolton's ability to get the job done."
Citizens for Global Solutions, which launched a "stop John Bolton" website, insists that America's interests will be better served by a "responsible, credible U.N. ambassador -- someone other than Mr. Bolton," in other words.
Bolton has been very critical of the U.N., which pleases many conservatives and upsets many globalists.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has not said whether it will hear additional testimony on Bolton, nor has it set another date for a vote on his nomination.
DUers are e-mailing and calling Voinovich and Chafee thanking them. Giving their egos a big boost!
1-877-762-8762
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
Unbelievable - the unproven accusations of the founder of the Dallas chapter of "MOB" - Mothers Opposing Bush - serves as the source for Voinovich to betray his president, his party and John Bolton.
Republicans are sounding more like church people, they shoot thier own wounded.With friends like this who needs Democrats. Come to think about it, who does need Democrats?
One way or another, the Republicans have to punish Voinovich for doing this. Voting against a candidate with due warning is one thing, but springing a destructive surprise like this in the middle of a session must be punished, and punished in no uncertain terms. Otherwise they will completely lose control, if they haven't lost it already.
This is the funniest statement I've seen in a long time. I thought it was his contempt for international law that made him the best representative of American interests, and his supposed lack of respect for his "superiors" makes him a good choice to take on the little dictators at the UN !
Calling this RINO a "girlie man" would be a compliment.
How ya doin' Impeach98? I kinda miss our FReeps. Haven't been to a good ol' fashioned FReep in quite some time. Schwarzenegger hasn't done anything to really tick me off lately. And the democraps are a total waste of time.
Ping!
the "scott milburn" address seems to be invalid.
Voinovich should resign from the foreign relations committee if he can't be bothered to attend the nomination hearings and then says he isn't prepared to vote when the time for the scheduled vote arrives.
Actually he should just resign as a Senator altogether, but I'm concerned about Taft appointing an even worse RINO if such a thing is possible.
Guess she wants to give him a Lewinsky as a thank you.
Voinovich is one of my 2 Rino Repub Senators from Ohio. DeWine is the other. Ohio Repub leadership is Rino while it's base is conservative.
I don't know much about Bolton. I'd be glad to get another hardnose in the UN. (I'd prefer UN OUT OF US OUT OF UN.)
Try this:
Nice to see ya :)
I haven't been to many a FReeps lately either. I did go to the "Thank You Arnold" rally. I am NOT an Arnold fan, but his reform package (which appears to be falling apart more and more each day) is the most pro-Republican stuff he's done, so I figure better to praise him for doing good since I am always so willing to kick him when he's doing bad.
I sure woulda loved a Governor McClintock, but I guess I'll have to settle for a LIEUTENANT Governor McClintock!
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