Posted on 11/09/2006 7:00:49 AM PST by Dark Skies
New York -- NewsMax has learned that U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton will likely leave his post next month.
After a rocky series of Senate confirmation hearings, Bolton was sent to the U.N. by President Bush in August 2005 under a recess appointment. That allowed the president to bypass Senate confirmation while it was in recess, but the appointee could only serve for the length of the current Congress which is set to expire at year's end.
There had been indications that Bolton might win Senate confirmation after the election when several key votes might be open to favoring Bolton. But the GOP's apparent loss of the Senate has doomed that hope.
"This nomination is dead and we have known it for several days," a source close to the U.S. mission to the U.N. tells NewsMax.
"We just don't know what the White House wants to do next," the source added.
Bolton has won high marks for his role at the U.N. as he has dealt with several crises, especially with North Korea, Iran, and the recent crisis between Israel and Lebanon.
President Bush has strongly supported Bolton and has repeatedly called upon the Senate committee to allow the nomination to go to the full Senate for an "up and down vote." Senate Democrats again blocked such a vote Wednesday evening.
Bolton has been one of the administration's few high-ranking conservatives. During Bush's first term, Bolton served as under secretary of state for arms control and international security.
At that post he aggressively pursued rogue state's like Iran who have been developing weapons of mass destruction. Bolton has been credited in getting Libya to agree to dismantle its WMD program.
Bolton's principled and sometimes confrontational approach has not won support from many congressional Democrats.
"The Bolton nomination will not get voted on," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., reportedly has told colleagues.
Another leading Democrat, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., a long-time Bolton nemesis, seconded Reid's position on Wednesday. Biden is expected to become chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when the new Congress convenes in January.
While Bolton's office in New York has not commented on developments, NewsMax has learned that the White House is considering reappointing Bolton under the same recess appointment provision. There is a hiccup: Bolton would be forced to serve without pay, an unlikely alternative sources say.
Among those believed to be on a White House short list to replace Bolton is former Senate majority leader and prominent Maine Democrat George Mitchell.
Don't give her any ideas. You can bet she is looking for the worst possible candidate she can find. And there will be intense media pressure to confirm.
'Democrats win again......courtesy of George Voinovich..'
...and Lincoln Chaffee. I believe, prior to the election, even Dems were ready to confirm Bolton but Chaffee would not support him, even tho he did so before.
Chaffee probably believed this would get him 'points' with Dims. Sorry we lost the R seat but Chaffee got what he deserved. He claimed to be an R but acted with Dims. He gave no loyalty and now received no loyalty. That's the message I left at his office. He got what he deserved.
I, for one, will call Reid's office urging a vote for Bolton who has done a great job at the UN. We need a strong person there who will not back down to those who want to hobble America.
That system fosters a level of corruption that is quite unimaginable to anyone accustomed to balancing household finances. It will absolutely continue. The race will be to see who gets to get his cut off the top.
Nancee
Bush should appoint Zell Miller let's see if the blue dog Dems are the real deal.
Christian news and commentary at: sacredscoop.com ...
If dems aren't going to confirm Bolton, maybe they'll be happy without any ambassador at all.
What a WONDERFUL idea!! You're brilliant!!
Nancee
Just make him another recess appointment.
The Democrats should be prepared to explain what he has done wrong while seated in this position.
That was then, this is now. Let's see just how far the new Congressional 'leadership' is willing to go in working with the administration.
Ugh.
LOL! There wouldn't be need any to translate all the squealing... maybe earplugs for the surrounding areas, though.
Israel will survive, in spite of all efforts to the contrary.
---Who is John Galt---
I can remember when he used to be somebody...I think.
Maybe he could sell his picture for those "Got Milk?" billboards.
Michelle Malkin might be a good pick.
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