Vichy-vich?
Posted on 06/21/2005 3:58:04 PM PDT by buccaneer81
Voinovich, Democrats block vote on Bolton Tuesday, June 21, 2005 Jack Torry THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
WASHINGTON — In an abrupt reversal, Sen. George V. Voinovich broke with the White House last night and joined Senate Democrats in blocking a confirmation vote on the nomination of John R. Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
For the second time in a month, Senate Republicans failed to muster the 60 votes needed to end floor debate and force a final vote on Bolton’s nomination. Unless the White House and Senate Democrats forge a compromise, President Bush will have to let the nomination die or make a controversial recess appointment.
Voinovich was the only one of 55 Senate Republicans to join 36 Democrats and independent James Jeffords, of Vermont, in delaying Bolton’s nomination. Although he did not speak on the Senate floor, Voinovich issued a harsh statement that suggested he has lost confidence in Bush’s foreign policy. He called Bolton "an ideologue" who "lacks the credibility to be effective" as the chief U.S. diplomat at the United Nations.
With his vote, Voinovich changed his position from a month ago, when he said members of the Senate "owe it to the president to give Mr. Bolton an up-and-down vote." At that time, Voinovich said that although he would vote against Bolton, he opposed using a filibuster to kill the nomination.
Voinovich’s decision places him at odds not only with Bush, but also with Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, who last month said Bolton "is a tough guy, but this is a tough job. He may have some personality issues, but the president is entitled to have his man in this tough position."
Bolton, a favorite of Vice President Dick Cheney’s, has been a sharp critic of the United Nations in the past. As undersecretary of state for arms control in Bush’s first term, Bolton criticized North Korea while the Bush administration was trying to persuade the country to give up its plans to build a nuclear weapon.
In his statement, Voinovich said that since the Sept. 11 attack, "negative opinions about the United States have increased internationally, in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries, and amongst traditional allies and emerging friends."
Voinovich, who has made it clear that he thinks Bolton is more a tough advocate than a subtle diplomat, said "the person we send to the U.N. will have great influence on the world’s perception of the United States, our values, our decency, and will be critical to the urgent reforms that must be made at the United Nations."
In April, Voinovich delayed the vote by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, saying he wanted more time to investigate allegations of improper conduct. But he eventually agreed to allow the full Senate to consider Bolton’s nomination.
Democrats have demanded that the Bush administration turn over documents on Bolton’s performance in the State Department. The White House has refused.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said, "It’s become very clear that the Democratic leadership is not interested in more information. All they’re interested in is simply blocking his nomination and obstructing progress on reform at the United Nations, because John Bolton is the one who will be leading our efforts to move forward on reform at the United Nations."
Bolton’s nomination has escalated into a political crisis between the Senate and White House. Senate Democrats have adopted the rare strategy of using a filibuster to block the confirmation of a nominee who has the support of more than 50 senators.
But it is just as rare for a president to fill such a highlevel post with a recess appointment. By waiting until the Senate adjourns next month, Bush could name Bolton to the post without the Senate’s approval, but only through the next oneyear session of Congress — in Bolton’s case, until January 2007.
At a White House news conference yesterday, Bush sidestepped a question on whether he would do that when Congress leaves Washington for the July Fourth holiday.
Bush used a recess appointment in 2002 to name Otto Reich assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs.
Information from the Associated Press was included in this story.
jtorry@dispatch.com
Paging John Kasich...
Ohio list ping, please!
Voinovich. It rhymes with something, but I can't quite think of it ...
I called his office today and bitched, but the aide said he had no comment. Imagine that.
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This is the type of losers that are baiting the RINOs. I wonder if "V" will have a new yacht tied up along side his dock, courtesy of the DNC...
I loved Rush's point on this today. Paraphrasing, "what is Frist supposed to do when he's got Republicans crying on the senate floor about what the Bolton nomination will do to their grandkids."
Is he on drugs?
I love the title; and in his home newspaper.
George has lost his mind altogether.
Friend of Terrorists
The Dispatch love Rinos ever since the editorial staff changed several years ago. The Ohio State pinkos and gays have really influenced the paper in recent years. Remember, Voinovich is from Cleveland, and to be a Republican from Pittsburgh-On-The-Lake, one must really be a Rino.
Voinovich is a diversion. The issue is when are they going to use the nuclear option?
Never. Remember, my other Senator, Mike DeRino is one of the gang of seven. Sometimes I think GOP stands for Group of P*ssies.
The "other side" of the Wolfe family gained more power after JW Wolfe died. That's when the Dispatch became the Disgrace.
Also, JW Wolfe would have ripped the gizzards out of DeWine and Voinovich for what they did.
Absolutely. I think the "other side" all live in German Village, The Short North and Bexley.
An outright lie!
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