Reply #13: I am not optimistic [View All]

[karynnj]

I was trying to correct the other post because the first vote would be a cloture vote and only 40 would be needed. Your first point is very well taken - our leadership could opt not to "filibuster" having sufficient people vote "yes" on cloture and then "no" on confirm. (as the weasils did on Alito - which they really should have fought.)

I haven't seen the media accounts of yesterday's testimony - but if the past is a guide, I doubt they will include much of Kerry's focused questioning - that shows:

-When asked, Bolton could not (or chose not to) articulate his view of the UN.
-Sees the UN as "an sdjunct" to US policy
-Sees reform of the UN as his most important job, although he said it had nothing to do with how the UN deals with Iran, NK, or Hezbollah

All of these show he completely (and possibly intentionally) misses the whole point of the UN.

-He also makes the US the odd man out on many things. I seriously don't get why he continued lying on NK rather than concede Kerry's very precise (and accurate) point.
-Bolton, the diplomat, doesn't talk to several countries - which is what a diplomat does.

The scary thing is that much of our media likely sees the world as Bush & co does and really does agree with Bolton's arrogant comment from a few years ago that there should be only one member of the Security Council - the world's only super power - us. The hubris is frightening.

As to our Senators - I am cautiously optimistic. They did both vote against Alito, though he was from NJ and they voted for Kerry/Feingold. Lautenberg, as a Jew, is likely aware that the Jewish community (I'm Jewish) is NOT predominantly neo-con, though some leaders are. He also is not likely to stand for election again, given his age. I think Bush and the neo-cons are making Israel less safe, not more. I know AIPAC has given Lautenberg a lot of money, but I don't think they control him.

I think Menendez will vote against him - he had the guts to vote for the Kerry/Feingold amendment, instead of just the more wishy washy "let's get a plan" Levin amendment. That has to be a more high profile vote. Most people couldn't name the UN ambassador even if given multiple choice. Also the "People Magazine" ization of the media that reduces issues to personalites works in our favor here. Bolton is an intensely obnoxious person. I really don't see it hurting Menendez.

I intend to call our Senators and am somewhat optimistic about them. (Although I've questioned the Hillary/Schumer story, because the root source is the NY Sun, I am less confident of them. (Though I would guess it could hurt Hillary to vote for him.)