Novak: They Got Bolton

[kskiska]

Over lunch in New York two weeks ago, John Bolton told me he was thinking about abandoning his long struggle for confirmation as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and leaving government service. But he asked me to defer writing about his situation. The White House felt anything I wrote would undermine last-ditch efforts at confirmation.

That reflects continuing failure by George W. Bush and his team, six years in power, to perceive the implacable nature of Democratic opposition. The White House was still eager not to offend Sen. Christopher Dodd, the Democrat most determined to block Bolton. Furthermore, Bush aides to the end sought to bring around lame duck Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee to allow Bolton's nomination on the Senate floor during the lame duck session.

All such efforts were futile. Dodd and his colleagues were determined to get outspoken conservative Bolton, and they got him. Chafee kept showing contempt for his nominal party even after the White House saved him from defeat in the primary. The Democratic election victory on Nov. 7 sealed Bolton's fate, ending Republican efforts to find another two years for Bolton even without confirmation.

A senior White House aide told me the president had been "considering" an offer of deputy secretary of state (which requires Senate confirmation) or Cabinet-level counselor (which does not). When he decided last week he wanted out, Bolton had no interest in any alternative post. But neither job was even mentioned to Bolton. After serving four years as an under secretary, Bolton following the 2004 election asked for the deputy secretary's job. The new secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, said no, but offered him the U.N. post.

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http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCommentary.asp?Page=/Commentary/archive/200612/COM20061207a.html

[eggplant]

1. Retch.

"Contempt for his nominal party"? Hah. He wasn't confirmed because the White House continually refused to answer even the most basic questions about Bolton. Let's not forget, it was this REPUBLICAN congress that wouldn't confirm him, not the incoming dems.

Does anyone still listen to to the Douchebag Of Liberty?

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Oh, the tears are just flowing down my cheeks! Oh, the humanity!

[Virginia Dare]

3. Suck it up Novakula...n/t

[Ken Burch]

7. Yeah, Novak. Go have a nice wet dream about Whittaker Chambers...

That always makes you feel better.

[Lexingtonian]

4. whine, whine, whine

Oh, yet another "good man" loses his job. Because others "were determined to get" him....

Cry me a river, Reactionary. I don't remember these sentiments when Monica Lewinsky was involved.

[jljamison]

6. Condie is obstructionist

Let me understand this. After the 2004 election, Bolton wanted the Deputy Secretary of State job. Novak loves Bolton who in his eyes has toiled diligently on behalf of conservative causes and is a worthy friend of the administration. however Condoleeza Rice tells him "No" but how about the UN Post instead.

Why do the Democrats get pillaged for blocking his nomination to the UN Post but Condoleeza Rice gets a pass for blocking his ascension to the post he himself desired?

What a putz.

[DinahMoeHum]

5. Excuse me while I reach for the Kleenex. . .NOT !!

Novak, go take your pity party elsewhere.

:nopity::nopity::nopity:

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

8. CRYBABY!

[DemoTex]

9. Who got whom, Mr. Novak?

Bolton was hoisted by his own petard.

[Demeter]

10. And What About We the People? What Are We, Chopped Liver?

Novak really needs a Reality Check of his own==say poverty, deportation, and a little torture?