Q Have you released all the information and documents on Bolton that you're going to release at this point?
MR. McCLELLAN: I appreciate the question, Steve. The President, first of all, as you heard him say, believes that John Bolton should have an up or down vote on the floor of the United States Senate. The Senate is moving forward this evening on the nomination. John Bolton is someone who has the support of a majority of the United States Senate. We have important work at the United Nations that we're working to accomplish. The American people want to see the United Nations reformed and become a more effective organization. We have put forward proposals for moving forward for on comprehensive reform, and it's important that we get our ambassador in place so that he can help advance reform at the United Nations and make it work more effectively.
In terms of the efforts with the United States Senate, I think it's become very clear that the Democratic leadership is not interested in more information -- all they're interested in is simply blocking his nomination and obstructing progress on reform at the United Nations, because John Bolton is the one who will be leading our efforts to move forward on reform at the United Nations.
Senator Roberts last week came forward with a very reasonable compromise, put it to the Democratic leadership -- particularly the ones who have already voted against John Bolton, but said that they wanted additional information. Senator Roberts provided them with additional information, but it appears that the Democrats want to keep expanding the universe and moving the goalpost. They're just simply not interested in more information; they're interested in simply stalling this nomination. This is a very important position and it's time for John Bolton to receive an up or down vote on the floor of the Senate.
I would also point out that the initial information that Democrats said they were concerned about were certain classified, highly classified intercepts. And that information was provided to the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, that's the appropriate channel to provide that information. Senator Rockefeller, himself, was able to see that information. He provided a letter to the Foreign Relations Committee, which was hearing the Bolton confirmation. And Senator Rockefeller, himself, said there was nothing improper about these requests. We would hope that there are some Democrats -- additional Democrats that recognize that there has been a reasonable effort made to accommodate some of the concerns and allow this vote to go forward on the floor of the United States Senate.
Q What is the answer to Steve's question? I mean, Steve asked you whether there would be any more documents released. What have you decided?
MR. McCLELLAN: We continue to work in good faith to address any concerns, but it's clear that the Democratic leadership isn't interested in more information; they're only interested in blocking his nomination.
Q So you won't be releasing any more documents?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, there has been more information that has been provided to the Democratic leadership, and now yet again they move the goal post, Bill.
Q They continue to ask for more. So the question is --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, they continue to expand the universe of their request for information.
Q All right. So the question is, have you concluded that it's fruitless to offer them any more --
MR. McCLELLAN: And I think -- what I'm trying to tell you is, obviously, we stay in contact with members of Congress all the time, and we have continued to work in good faith to address those concerns, but it's becoming clear that all they want to do is keep moving the ball.
Q So no more.
Q But you haven't ruled out giving them more?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think I just answered your question.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/06/20050620-20.html
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