Posted on 05/13/2005 7:00:06 AM PDT by areafiftyone
Democrats in the US Senate have made a fresh bid to derail the appointment of John Bolton, the embattled White House pick for UN ambassador, after a Senate panel declined to back him ahead of a floor vote.
Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer "put a hold on the nomination" of Bolton as US ambassador to the United Nations, her spokeswoman Natalie Ravitz said without indicating how the process could be delayed.
The move is intended to either force further negotiations or ultimately to prevent his nomination from reaching the Senate floor.
A Senate panel took the rare step Thursday of refusing to endorse President George W. Bush's choice for UN ambassador, although it did send the nomination to the full Senate for confirmation.
The White House had hoped that Bolton would receive the seal of approval of the committee's 10 Republicans, whose backing would have improved his odds for success in the Senate vote.
Instead, Bolton barely squeaked out of the polarized Senate committee.
His nomination was apparently saved after several Republicans agreed to forward his nomination for the UN post, without giving him explicit support.
Despite the lack of a congressional endorsement, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she was "pleased" by the outcome, and expressed hope for Bolton's quick confirmation.
Rice argued that Bolton, currently undersecretary for arms control and international security at the US State Department, would bring the "skill and dedication necessary to advance the president's reform agenda" at the UN.
A date has not been set for the vote in the Senate where Republicans hold a 55 to 45 majority. But Democrats promised they would continue to fight tooth and nail against the nomination as it moves to the chamber.
"If this comes to the floor, we're going to have a fight," Senator Barbara Boxer said during the committee meeting.
Democrats have been united in opposition to Bolton, while four of the committee's 10 Republicans expressed serious reservations.
Chief among Bolton's Republican critics was Senator George Voinovich, who expressed grave reservations about allegations Bolton mistreated staff during his long Washington carreer and shaped intelligence to fit his views.
He also issued a scathing denunciation of the nominee, saying the president could have chosen any one of a number of equally qualified, less controversial, candidates.
Nevertheless, the Ohio senator said he would approve sending Bolton's nomination to a vote before the full Senate, in deference to the White House.
The debate in the divided committee was the latest showdown between Senate Democrats and Republicans, after weeks of bitter wrangling over Bush's nominee.
Bolton's Republican supporters acknowledge that he has at times been "blunt," but they say his direct manner is just what is needed to help whip the scandal-plagued UN into shape.
"I think the American people want someone at the United Nations who pushes strongly for reform," said Senator George Allen. "We are not electing 'Mr. Congeniality.' We do not need 'Mr. Milquetoast' in the United Nations," he said.
The panel has spent weeks examining allegations that Bolton misused or hyped flawed intelligence on issues including China, Iran, North Korea and Syria.
Even his ex-boss, former secretary of state Colin Powell, reportedly told lawmakers that Bolton had been a problematic official. Powell's former chief of staff was quoted by the US press as saying that Bolton would make an "abysmal ambassador."
If confirmed by the Senate, Bolton would have to fight the US case on vital foreign policy issues, ranging from nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea to the future of the world body itself.
Bush needs to make a statement. Every one of his nominees, from Bolton to the Judgeships, must receive an up or down floor vote by July 4th, or on that day he will recess appoint them all. Bolton can easily serve out the rest of Bush's term using this method. bush must explicitly reject the right of the Senate to hold up his choices.
IMO, Powell is/was "the leaker" in the Bush administration.
Yes. He can serve out the rest of bush's term this way. Bush should do it on the first day of any fillibuster.
I was thinking more along the lines of ivy - poison ivy, that is.
There is an unsubstantiated rumor that Babs Boxer was Cyra McFadden's model when she wrote The Serial, a year in the life of Marin County
So we got another way to Filibuster......
So we got another way to Filibuster......
That's what I was afraid of!
G.O.P. Moderates in Senate Sense Intensifying Pressures
From the NY Times no less!!!!!
If those moderates sensibilities are so offended perhaps they need to stop taking Republican money and support when it's election time. People like Voinovich and Specter welcomed Bush's support in the primaries and elections, but can't understand why they should give him support when he asks. Lousy ingrates if you ask me!!
Thanks for the ping.
I'd like to know what's going on behind the scenes with Voinovich. Pukin Dog made a comment on yesterday's live thread that the Rats, via the FBI files, have Larry Flynt slime on Voinovich.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1401701/posts?page=293#293
It wouldn't surprise me. It sounds loopy enough. But we need some inside stuff about her time spent as a stockbroker, newspaper editor and doings while becoming a Marin County supervisor and other stuff in her bio. I just can't believe she got to the Senate without leaving lots of smelly "spoor," as the old-time African hunting adventure books used to call it.
The more the Dems hate this guy, the more I like him.
I just got back from 2 weeks in Marin county. I used to live in Brooklyn. Give me Brooklyn anytime. Nicer, less snotty, snobbish, less pretentious people and lots better Italian food. Cheaper too.
Parts of Marin county are beautiful, but the price of real estate is insane there. Too many restirictions. You couldn't build an outhouse there without 10 lawyers, 5 architects,3 engineers and 12 "inspectors". Bend over please.
Plus the "permit" fees would bankrupt a small country and the "environmentalist" fascists would be all over you.
Related article:
Democrats Move to Slow Action on Bolton
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1402791/posts
Senate Democrats opposed to President Bush's nomination of John R. Bolton to be U.N. ambassador are trying to delay a Senate vote with a legislative maneuver that ultimately could lead to a filibuster.
Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., who is leading the drive to scuttle the nomination, is backing Boxer's request for a hold, a legislative device to keep the Republican leadership from beginning debate, his spokesman, Norm Kurz, said.
Asked to assess Bolton's chances of being confirmed, Boxer said, "I think we can definitely beat John Bolton because, I think, the American people are going to weigh in and make their views known."
Poison ivy sounds more like what someone might send a man.
See mah point Vern? :-)
"This is obviously a super-secret Senate power"
Boxer is going to strap on a suicide bomb and threaten to blow up the Senate if they approve Bolton.
[Nevertheless, the Ohio senator said he would approve sending Bolton's nomination to a vote before the full Senate, in deference to the White House.]
Here in Ohio, we consevatives named the rino repub party "The other liberal democrat party".
Dear Colin Powelll: Bolton's not an A*S KISSER like you are. You would be UNKNOWN if it weren't for the Bush Family. You have NO LOYALTY, you are a CREEP.
I thnik she MURDERED that raccoon she has on her head.
Duh, gee Tennessee, isn't that what intelligence gathering is for???
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Powell's former chief of staff was quoted by the US press as saying that Bolton would make an "abysmal ambassador."
Perfect man for the job!
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