[Arkie2]

"Supporters of John Bolton's confirmation as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations want to make one last try to get 60 senators to break the filibuster instead of President Bush renominating Bolton during the next congressional recess to avoid Senate confirmation".



Getting 60 Senators together is not going to happen and Novak doesn't really mention a recess appointment except in negative terms so that's probably not going to happen either. Frankly, I think the best option is to re-nominate Bolton until he's confirmed or Bush leaves office in '08. We don't need anyone in that cesspool anyway. We can have the Sec State sit in to veto the occasional important Security Council vote and forget about the rest.

[jwalsh07]

Gillespie is good. Smart move.

[SmithL]

May I nominate Michael Moore to replace Dean?

[Cicero]

A footnote: Some Republican strategists figure the president's veto of the Castle bill will enable Bush politically to nominate a moderate to the Supreme Court, but conservatives say that is nonsense.

Yes, it is nonsense. In fact, political suicide.

[Soul Seeker]

They could just break the damn filibuster, but no, senate congeniality is just too sacrosanct.

These Senators evidently think they'll be remembered kindly in history. If noted in history books, they'll be noted as partisan hacks and nitwits. There will be no mention of how they saved the Senate from the precipice, quite the contrary. perhaps they won't be around to see the ridicule documented in the books, but they should think now of what it'll be like to be laughed out for centuries.

Why would Andy leave? More D.C. gossip that keeps everyone engaged?

Since they must vote, yeah, I want them to rush the bill through. Give Spectre no time to parade about indignant that he can't bully the President to support his pet ghoulish project.

A footnote: Some Republican strategists figure the president's veto of the Castle bill will enable Bush politically to nominate a moderate to the Supreme Court, but conservatives say that is nonsense.

I would appreciate these stratagists go on the record. So they can promptly be fired for stupidity. They'd be better placed on the other aisle.

[steenkeenbadges]

How can this be a "filibuster" if all that's happening is Daschel-style obstruction? The ol' timers had to stay up all night reading from the phone book.

[SERKIT]

Insiders believe Gillespie, a protege of Bush political adviser Karl Rove, is being groomed to replace Andrew Card as chief of staff for Bush's last two years as president.

Any hints that Uncle Karl himself will become Chief of Staff when Any Card leaves?

[montag813]

Because such an appointee would have to leave office when this Congress adjourns, Bolton would have little more than 13 months in office.

That is not true. Bush can re-appoint Bolton indefinitely until his term ends. there is little point in wasting any capital on forcing Bolton in...save it for lifetime appointments. Recess appoint Bolton ASAP.