Posted on 05/20/2005 1:41:19 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative
The White House cannot count on much backing from Democrats to confirm John R. Bolton, as Republicans seek to shore up support for the ambassador to the United Nations nominee before a Senate floor vote later this month.
Meanwhile, though, Republicans appear to be rallying behind Mr. Bolton, with key senators such as Susan Collins of Maine and Mike DeWine of Ohio saying they plan to support him when the Senate takes up his nomination, probably next week.
"I'm giving deference to the president's choice for the United Nations," Mr. DeWine said, while Miss Collins said Mr. Bolton would not have been her choice, but "I think he's qualified for the position."
Most Democrats voted against Mr. Bolton in 2001, when he was confirmed to be under secretary of state for arms control and international security. Of those who either voted for him or weren't in the Senate at the time, most either have announced they now oppose him or are leaning against him.
"Some of these new revelations are troubling, very troubling," said Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, Louisiana Democrat, who was one of seven Democrats to vote for Mr. Bolton when he was confirmed 57-43 in 2001.
Still, with Republicans holding a majority, that means only a Democratic filibuster could stop him -- a decision that has not yet been made.
"My general feeling is that we shouldn't rule it out," said Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, Connecticut Democrat, who has been among the harshest critics of President Bush's nominee, accusing him of bullying subordinates and pressuring intelligence agents in the State Department.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
This is a good sign.
demorats aren't voting against Bolton, they are voting against anything and everything that Bush wants.
Somebody posted on the live thread today that Biden offered to let the Dems confirm all the justice nominees if they'd dump Bolton.
Collins apparently wants to save that base.
NO Judges left behind. That goes for Bolton. No Compromise.
Old Mary is gonna have her hands full if the GOP can come up with a good candidate to taker her on in 2008. She's already thumbed her nose at Hispanic and Black voters in Louisiana after promising not to filibuster Miguel Estrada and now Janice Rogers Brown. The black community was already leery of her in 2002, now no one except the most partisan RAT in this state trusts her.
"I think he's qualified for the position."
Yale Law School graduate. Yes, he is well qualified.
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