Bush Stands By Keeping Bolton as U.N. Ambassador Despite Opposition

[Demeter]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/12/AR2006111200272.html?referrer=email

By John Heilprin
Associated Press
Monday, November 13, 2006; A13



President Bush will not relent in his defense of John R. Bolton, his nominee for U.N. ambassador, despite unwavering opposition from Democrats who view Bolton as too combative for international diplomacy, aides said yesterday... two of Bush's top advisers said that the White House is not backing down from pursuing Senate approval for Bolton to continue in the job.
White House counselor Dan Bartlett said Bolton has done a remarkable job. "He's proven the critics wrong on all the charges they've leveled against him," Bartlett said on "Fox News Sunday."

"I think if he actually was able to get a vote in the full Senate, he would succeed," White House Chief of Staff Joshua B. Bolten said on ABC's "This Week."

Bush gave Bolton the job temporarily in August 2005, while Congress was in recess. That appointment will expire when Congress adjourns, no later than January...The White House resubmitted Bolton's nomination on Thursday. Finding a replacement for Bolton would come at a sensitive time for the Bush administration. It is counting heavily on U.N. diplomacy to help confront North Korea and Iran over their nuclear programs and to end fighting in Sudan's Darfur region.

[wakeme2008]

1. This is just IMHO but after costing them the Senate and House

I do not see the Repugs in the Senate doing any FAVORS for George now :shrug:

[LynnTheDem]

2. bush would not relent in his defense of rumsfeld, either.

Until he fired him 67 hours later.

:rofl:

[dmosh42]

3. So much for bipartisanship!

I think this is a good first indication of Bush still thinking he should have it 'his way'.

[rodeodance]

4. Bush stood by Rummy before he didn't.

[asjr]

5. RW pundits always speak of Shrub's loyalty to

members of his administration. It is not loyalty; it is downright stubbornness. Everyone is out of step but him. Where is the loyalty to the citizens of this country? It is still his way or the highway. He reminds me of Il Duce in WW2. Always standing "tall", arms crossed, chin jutted out, permanent smirk on his face. He has become a cartoon character.

[Malikshah]

6. That means tomorrow, Bolton will be thrown under the bus

First Brownie, then Rummy, now Bolty....

Writing is on the wall (in crayon and illegible, but still writing...)

[Hieronymus]

7. Bolton doesn't have a chance.

Bush is just blustering.:dunce:

[silverlib]

8. Bush stands alone...

he does not stand "by" anyone.

[PRETZEL]

9. May also be another indication as to how serious the coup is,

ain't no big suprise Bolton is Cheney's man. Plain and simple. So now it seems that the old man is attempting a take over of the last throes of skippy's administration to protect his little Georgie. And you know full well Cheney knows this and is fighting back, hard. Bolton is critical for Cheney. Cheney knows he has to keep the UN neutered as much as possible. And from what I remember of the old man, he was a very strong supporter of UN involvement. The old man knows it much easier to get things done behind the scenes when you have someone else (ie, the UN) doing the talking for you.

Losing another "Evil Empire" ideologue to a "New World Order" ideologue would only reinforce the old man's position.

[gratuitous]

10. Josh wants a vote in the full Senate?

Would that be the outgoing lame-duck Senate, or the incoming Senate that more accurately reflects the current views of the electorate?

Shorter Bush to nation: I got yer bipartisanship right here!

[billyoc]

11. * will make another recess appointment of bolton to the post. n/t

[bemildred]

12. That's my guess too.

I'm not sure why Dolton is so necessary, but it's clear that he is.

[smaug]

13. But -

Bolton, being recess appointed a second time, would be unable to collect a paycheck (yeah, I know with this gang...). Wonder if the Scaife's and Wyle's will be willing to provide a 'trust fund' to pay Johnnie Boy for his 'efforts' for world peace (hack, hack, VOMIT).

[Demeter]

14. Anyone Foolish Enough to Be Caught Paying Bolton

deserves star billing in the GOP fraud and abuse trials.

[xxqqqzme]

16. he cannot. johnny boy's term expires when

the 110th congress is sworn in.

[billyoc]

17. Yes, he can make another recess appointment,

but bolton would serve without the approval of the Senate and without a paycheck.

[warrens]

15. BFD

Let him take it on the chin. Again. If he hadn't snuck him in, he could perhaps defend him.But he did, and so it's buh-bye to Notlob.