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
What is WITH him? I mean, he sounds like he's cracking up! My friend, who is BIG on concealed carry, says Voino's problem with Bolton is that Bolton blocked a UN deal a few years ago to force nations to submit to UN laws regarding firearms ownership. This guy says Voino is obsessed with gun control. Whatddya think?
Actually -- Voinovich is brain damaged as a result of hitting his head against the tub...
The girlie-man fell over while squatting to pee...
Semper Fi
John Frederick Wolfe cannot compare to John Walton Wolfe. John Walton Wolfe was the most powerful individual in Columbus (maybe even Ohio) for many years. John Walton Wolfe had his newspaper, but he was very involved in the community. If you did wrong or crossed him, God help you because you were in trouble. John Frederick Wolfe is much different. He has handed more power to people like Curtin and Marrison. It is unclear about the secession plan once John Frederick leaves. Could the Dispatch be sold?
I grew up reading J.W.'s Dispatch as a kid. The paper is much different today. I have heard quite a bit of complaining of the reporting job being done by some reporters at the Dispatch and Channel 10, the Wolfe owned TV station in Columbus.
The Dispatch still has their agendas and they still cover for their friends. That is why publications like Columbus Monthly and The Other Paper seem to have the more juicy stories. The reporting quality sucks at both, but you hear about the stuff you won't hear in the Dispatch.
The recent Columbus Monthly was right when it said this city was much more colorful and entertaining during the days of J.W. Wolfe, Buck Rinehart, Woody Hayes, Jim Rhodes, Tom Moody (he's still should be inspecting the city), and many other characters. Today you have bland characters like Mike Coleman, Bob Taft, J.F. Wolfe, Les Wexner, and others. As much as I hate to say it, Jim Tressel does not have the entertainment value of a Woody Hayes. When someone is controversial like a Bill Moss, the Dispatch and the Titans try to force them out.
Wow. There must be something juicy in Voinovich's FBI file.
Either that, or some Dem has the "goods" on him.
His BS on the Senate Floor, twice in two months--I think he is being blackmailed by someone.
He needs to be taken to the woodshed by Pubbie leaders.The Dems are going to steamroll over Bush if this crap continues with these worthless RINOs.
Either that, or some Dem has the "goods" on him.
His BS on the Senate Floor, twice in two months--I think he is being blackmailed by someone.
He needs to be taken to the woodshed by Pubbie leaders.The Dems are going to steamroll over Bush if this crap continues with these worthless RINOs.
Boy, there's a real suprise... They crybaby who sobbed how his grandchildren would... Heck, I can't make heads or tails out of it... But I guess Bolton is going to eat his grandchildren or something if he's appointed as UN ambassador...
I'm so glad we've got a senator who's secure enough in his manhood that he can cry like a little baby while we're at eFFin WAR! I wonder how long the islamists were laughing over that one?!?!?
Mark
Shrillary is at it once again. The alledgedly "right Wing" Klein book is out.. she's just sending a "bullet"..in
to the Sobbing Senator.
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