Posted on 05/25/2005 4:01:46 PM PDT by beaversmom
Every once in a while there is a profile in courage on Capitol Hill.
This phenomenon doesn't happen very often and, in fact, is rarer than ever these days because lawmakers fear -- as do many reporters -- that they will be called "unpatriotic" if they challenge the White House in wartime.
A politician who splits with his own party on a point of principle may suffer ostracism and retaliation for standing up against the president. That's why it is easier for lawmakers to go along to get along.
In my book, Republican Sen. George Voinovich, a former governor of Ohio, is a courageous legislator for opposing the nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He concluded that Bolton is not the man for the job and urged his fellow senators earlier this week to reject the nominee.
Bolton would be a "controversial and ineffective ambassador to the United Nations," Voinovich wrote his colleagues.
What a sham that appointment is. Bolton has shown his contempt for the U.N. and for any of the nations that disagree with his right-wing ideology. He once said there should be only one member of the U.N. Security Council -- the United States -- and that it would be all right with him if a few stories of the U.N. headquarters building were toppled.
It's difficult to imagine Bolton as a diplomat, trying to build consensus, working with opponents to solve problems by finding common grounds and earning their respect. He comes off as a thundering, pompous bully-boy, scornful of anyone who doesn't kiss his ring.
He has served in top positions in the Justice Department and State Department, and his detractors from those workplaces are legion, painting a portrait of a headstrong loudmouth, unsuited for a job that requires diplomacy and some finesse.
Troubled by what he has learned about Bolton's past, Voinovich has said that sending Bolton to the U.N. would subvert administration's stated goal of trying to win back friends and allies who have drifted beyond the U.S.' orbit because of the Bush administration's unilateralism and arrogance.
"John Bolton is the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should not be," Voinovich said. "His confirmation will tell the world we are not dedicated to repairing our relationships ... but that we believe only someone with sharp elbows can deal properly with the international community," he added.
Voinovich faced tremendous pressure from the White House, including personal calls from Bush and his top aides, to change his mind and support Bolton. But he stood his ground.
It could cost him politically with his own Republican party or by losing federal funds for a pet project in Ohio. That's how it works.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has acknowledged that Bolton has some problems. He would be "closely supervised," Rice said, in an effort to reassure senators that she intended to keep a tight rein on her U.N. ambassador.
This is hardly a vote of confidence in John Bolton.
A vote on Bolton on the Senate floor is expected soon, possibly by the end of the week.
The White House is standing by the Bolton nomination. Senate Republicans are expected to rally around the nomination and, because they are in the majority, Bolton is likely to win confirmation.
But one GOP senator will stand out in the chamber -- Sen. George Voinovich who had the courage to go against his crowd.
Would that the president had the courage to admit a mistake and withdraw the Bolton nomination.
That will be the day.
(Helen Thomas can be reached at the e-mail address hthomas@hearstdc.com).
Does Voinobitch want us to send a cry baby like him up to the UN?
"I'm thinking of personal issues as in the Dems have got some "pictures" of him or personal issues as in he had testicles removed. What were you thinking?"
Um.......*thinking* *thinking* *thinking*
FMCDH(BITS)
I saw that! What an idiot. He's done that before as I recall, when he was mayor of Cleveland. He's also been mentioned for some possible mob connections and there was an investigation of a money laundering scheme a few years ago. He gets elected by the Cuyohaoga county voters who are predominately Dems. Sheesh...Voinovich and Kuscinich, makes me embarrassed to be from Ohio.
voinovich courage, written by helen thomas = skip immediately to comments after chugging a bottle of Maalox.
MY EMAIL
Dear Helen, your article on Voinovich and his profile in courage really made me think…
Why doesn’t he just shut the heck up? He didn’t care enough to even attend the confirmation hearings.
PS: When are you going to realize, you are irrelevant?
Best Regards,
Let's hope so.
And he's the fat old transvetite that thinks the first question at any WH Press Conference is their's. Boy he's obnoxious.
Isn't that sweet ... Helen was moved by Voinovich's crying.
Like Kucinich? Say no more...
Well, one way to know if a policy is wrong is by getting the approval of the UN worshiping Left and that old Lib wretch Helen Thomas. Congrats Voinobitch! You won an award from Helen Thomas. Make sure you cry again when giving your acceptance speech!
This disgusting hag's definition of "courage": "Ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain."
stabenow and levin make me embarrassed to be from MI.
Since when does courage = crying like a little bitch on the Senate floor while grandstanding for the MSM and the wicked witch Helen Thomas
There is a familiar story of Ben Franklin saying, in answer to Helen Thomas who approached him asking what the Founders had given the people, "A Republic, madam, if you can keep it."
I thought she had finally retired
Doesn't this reminds you of all those articles lavishing praise on Zell Miller for being a maverick, willing to stand up against his own party?
No? Me neither.
It would be nice if F/R applied an 'auto barf alert' to any post about Helen Thomas.
Bolton must be fantastic since the Hate America Party has so much contempt for him.
What shall we call the award? I'm thinking the Sally Field Blubbering Idiot Award or the George Tenet Blubbering Idiot Award? Sally Field was kind of cute when she did hers plus she's female but probably more people remember her embarrasing moment. Oh, I almost forgot, there was Pat Schroeder crying like a baby too.
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