Weepy Voinovich Begs for 'No' Vote on Bolton

CNSNews.com ^ | May 26, 2005 | Susan Jones

[veronica]

(CNSNews.com) - The thought that John Bolton might be confirmed as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations brought one Republican senator to the brink of tears on Wednesday.

Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) choked up on the Senate floor, as he urged his colleagues to vote against Bolton's nomination on Thursday:

''I'm afraid that when we go to the [Senate] well, that too many of my colleagues -- (voice breaking) -- that too many of my colleagues are not going to understand that this appointment is very, very important to our country," Voinovich said.

"At a strategic time, when we need friends all over the world, we need somebody up there that's going to be able to get the job done.

"I know some of my friends say, 'Let it go, George, it's going to work out.' I don't want to take the risk," Voinovich said. "I came back here [to the Senate] and ran for a second term because I'm worried about my kids and my grandchildren. And I just hope my colleagues will take the time (pause) and before they get to this well, do some serious thinking about whether or not we should send John Bolton to the United Nations. I yield the floor."

Voinovich's emotional moment came one day after he sent a letter to his fellow senators, telling them, "In these dangerous times, we cannot afford to put at risk our nation's ability to successfully wage and win the war on terror with a controversial and ineffective ambassador to the United Nations."

Voinovich did not attend Bolton's confirmation hearings; and he surprised Republicans by raising last-minute objections to Bolton on April 19, just as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was preparing to vote on Bolton's nomination.

Voinovich's objections prompted one group to run radio ads against him in Ohio, and it put him under intense pressure from Republicans in Congress and at the White House.

Because of Voinovich's objections, the committee postponed a vote on Bolton for several weeks. The nomination finally went to the full Senate on May 12 - but without a committee recommendation.

On May 12, before the committee vote, Voinovich said he would vote to send Bolton's nomination to the full Senate Voinovich because "we owe it to the president to give Mr. Bolton an up-or-down vote on the floor."

But Voinovich said he would vote against Bolton on the Senate floor. "I really don't believe he's the best man we can send to the United Nations," he said.

Voinovich said he'd met with Bolton and liked him. He called Bolton a "decent man" and described their conversations as "candid and cordial."

Most of Voinovich's Republican colleagues say Bolton, with his blunt, no-nonsense attitude, is the right man to represent U.S. interests at the United Nations, and he's expected to be confirmed.

[RinaseaofDs]

Whole Senate has gone nuts. Now they are talking about Ethanol again, and the GOP relented on Women in Combat.

[fatnotlazy]

I don't live in Voinovich's district, but I wonder when he's up for re-election.

[roses of sharon]

Wasn't there some story put out by his opponent during his race in Ohio about him having some mental problems, maybe Alzheimers?

Or do I have the wrong Senate race?

Thanks!

[rwa265]

So that's why his face is always so red. <;)

I was wondering if there was an incident I hadn't heard about.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Someone needs to bitch-slap this moron.

[Bulgaricus]

Geeze, talk about a Girlie-man! Send him some kotex or something...

[Thanks RR Rest Well]

The crying when he was mayor was before my time but I moved to Ohio his first year as governor. Needed budget cuts forced reduced social service payments. The resulting protests led him to tears then too. "This isn't why I became governor, to do things like this"

Apparentently tough decisions stress him out.

DeWine and Voinivich are improvements over Glenn and Metzenbaum, but not by much.

[FreedomNeocon]

I believe he was in Eastern Europe with some people from the State Dept... he said something to that effect if I remember correctly.

[Enchante]

"many of my colleagues are not going to understand that this appointment is very, very important to our country"


Typical of whiny, weepy self-important liberals - who think only THEY understand something is important and what to do about it.... I heard the tape of Voinovich on the radio - oh, what a pitiful wanker!! He thinks if we whimper and cry and emote "the world" will respect us more. Hey, Voinovich, try to imagine that it's BECAUSE the appointment is important (somewhat) in international affairs that we need a tough stand-up guy like Bolton and not a weasel like you or Barbara Boxer!

[KarlInOhio]

I don't remember it, but I didn't pay all that much attention to the Senate race. It was pretty much a walk in for Voinovich last year.

[Modernman]

I was wondering if there was an incident I hadn't heard about.

Nothing specific. He just has a reputation as a boozer.

[IonInsights]

Agreed. He went out on a limb opposing Bolton, because of his own incompetence. Now he can't escape his position, so he's doing what he always has done when he gets into a difficult spot -- HE CRIES!

[Chode]

oxygen thief...

[lormand]

Chairman of the Sissy Caucus

[Edgerunner]

I am...

[Minnesocold]

Voinovich sheds more "crock" tears.

[Defiant]

Translation: If you guys join me and vote him down, then I will have cover for the stupid thing I did a few weeks ago. Please, please help me out here guys, or I'll be in trouble back home, and, and.....waaaaaaaaa, sniff, sniff.

[Puppage]

We'd do well to remember. Thanks for reminding us all!

[GunnyHartman]

"Algebraic insults are too much before the first cup of coffee gets into the bloodstream. "

I'm living in Mountain Standard Time. I took a gamble that most Freepers are east of me and had time to Java up. If you should happen to live in the people's republik of the left coast, my humble apologies (not to mention sympathies).