President Bush Accepts Ambassador John Bolton's Resignation (TRANSCRIPT of Bush' Remarks)

White House ^ | Dec. 4, 2006 | President George W. Bush

[jveritas]

The President is still the most powerful man in the country and by far. On domestic issues he has the power to veto any bill that is not approved by more than 2/3 of the votes and in each house of Congress. On war and foreign policy he has almost total control. Although the Congress has some power in foreign policy like the approval of an ambassador to the UN, it is still a very little power. I do not think that an ambassador to the UN can personally have any significant effect on our foreign policy since at the end he get his or her orders for the Secretary of State who in turn gets his or her orders from the President. I am disappointed that Bolton will no longer be UN ambassador, but this is not the disaster that some knee jerk conservatives are trying to make of it, in fact it is a very insignificant event in the big picture.

[Huck]

GW's holding no cards. He's got the crap hand of all crap hands right now. Going to the mat would just mean he loses Bolton and makes a fool of himself in the process. This is POLITICS, not statesmanship. Know the difference.

[jwparkerjr]

I wonder if his political clout was nothing more than a mirage all along. It seems that when everyone thought he had it he didn't have to use it. But as soon as it became evident that he was vulnerable, social security for instance, the started piling on. I don't mean this as a criticism or him to be a disparaging remark about his administration. I just really wonder if his political clout was an illusion all along, especially in view of the Gang of 14's apparent ability to stymie his moves.

[AnnaZ]

It's true and I feel like Bush is just deserting the team, frankly.

It just might be facing up to reality. "We" couldn't get Bolton in when "we" had the Senate, so forget it now...

So much for the "regime" rumors...

< /eye-rolling>

[Huck]

Well thanks for finally bothering to put some thoughts down. You don't seem to be countering what I said, though. I'm saying GWB lacks the political clout to put up a fight on Bolton.

Your response is to grudgingly admit that the Congress has some power over the Bolton appointment, and then to discount the significance of the loss of Bolton.

The truth is that the Congress has just demonstrated decisive power over the UN nomination, as evidenced by Bolton's departure. That's not a debatable point. The Congress beat the President. End of story.

As for the significance of Bolton, I didn't comment on that and don't have a comment on it. My basic point is that it's silly to complain about a poker player folding his hand when he was holding junk. And politically, GWB is holding junk.

He has whatever power the office provides, which as you point out, is substantial, but like every president, he's hamstrung by the world's greatest rube goldberg machine ever invented, the United States Congress.

In a way I think we're arguing the same bottom line from different perspectives, which is that it's pointless to blame the president here and now for this. I don't see him having any good options.

[griswold3]

The enemy within is doing it's best to destroy this country.


Ditto!

The threat of filibuster by the Dhimmicrats who have the majority now (Elections do have consequences) is the reason. GWB is portrayed as a 'stuborn' fool by the 'enemies'. Should we just let them pile on?

[avital2]

i don't consider it making a fool of yourself to stand up for principle or a man of principle.dammit, don't we even stand for that? is everything a political game? that's the Democrats' game, not ours.

[AnnaZ]

Another thread on this topic had a letter to Bolton from Maggie Thatcher. Just seeing that letter brought tears to my eyes.

I'd love a link to that, if you can find it again.

The enemy within is doing it's best to destroy this country.

No kidding. And that's damn depressing, too.

[jveritas]

Exactly.

[Huck]

The Gang of 14 just shows what a tough business it is. He had clout when he and his party won elections, and when he had confident support in the Congress. It's never been a slam dunk. And it's worse for him now. The GOP basically got stuck in a situation of accountability without authority, which is a losing situation. You get blame for what goes wrong, but don't have enough power to change it.

That said, he had enough clout to get us into the war in Iraq. He had enough clout to hold together a war coalition thru 2004. But now he's a lame duck who's party just lost an election, and so he's got to suck it up even more than usual.

In short, I don't think it was a total mirage, but it was never as good as it might have seemed.

[Huck]

is everything a political game?

In Washington DC? Of course it is. And most other places also. Again, there's no point in going over a cliff with all flags flying. Generals recognize, unfortunatly, sometimes you have to retreat. Sometimes you have to hold your fire. That's life. GW understands that. He has to figure out what he thinks his top priorities are, and what he might be able to accomplish, and the rest goes over the side.

[GretchenM]

I am deeply disappointed that a handful of United States Senators prevented Ambassador Bolton from receiving the up or down vote he deserved in the Senate. They chose to obstruct his confirmation, even though he enjoys majority support in the Senate, and even though their tactics will disrupt our diplomatic work at a sensitive and important time. This stubborn obstructionism ill serves our country, and discourages men and women of talent from serving their Nation.

=

[jveritas]

OK then we agree on the heart of the issue here, that the President is not to be blamed for the Bolton loss but still many on our side are blaming him for the loss.

[Night Hides Not]

But let's blame Bush instead. He should have held a gun to Chaffee's head, you know?

LOL!! Perhaps a late night visit from a few Secret Service agents?

Durn it...we should have thought of this before!

Lest anybody think otherwise...off, damned sarcasm!

[D-Chivas]

Bush should not propose ANY replacement. Tell congress to propose a replacement they will vote for. Refuse each one after AN INDEPTH investigation. In the mean time NO FUNDING will be signed for the UN!

That would be sweet.

[Night Hides Not]

So you dont think Bush bears the responsibility of what has happened here?

Definitely yes.

Is it your position that he tried his best?

Definitely no.

[backtothestreets]

John Bolton served well amid difficult circumstances.

An opportunity now exists to demonstrate we need not be a party to the UN. Leave the post vacant.

Alas, the reality is this will likely not happen. The resignation is well timed to allow the still-sitting congress the opportunity to confirm an appointment the incoming congress might not.

[dc-zoo]

My applause as well.

[bill1952]

I can't believe that I've scrolled through more than 50 replies and not seen the pertinent question of this issue.

I mean, both of the sides in this issue have points to make, but all of this bickering is partly what got America into a liberal Congressional swamp and I don't care to give up now.

My question is, what now? - Who is going to be vetted?

[roses of sharon]

Bump.

Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do.

Or do they?