Sounds like Chafee kicked some ass with Bolton today...

[WilliamPitt]

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/001564.php

July 27, 2006
Lincoln Chafee Shoves Bolton Around on his "Terrorism" Simple-Mindedness and on Israel-Palestine

OK -- Something interesting is going on with Lincoln Chafee. He just shoved John Bolton all over the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing Room floor.

Must have had spinach and Wheaties this morning. Chafee was dogged in questioning John Bolton on his views about Israel-Palestine, about the root causes of the crisis in the Middle East, about Bolton's simple-minded use of the term "terrorism", and about Bolton's views of "shaping the Middle East" as one of the greatest challenges America faces.

Senator Chafee started off reading a Bolton statement that he made in the past where Bolton essentially blamed terrorism as the fundamental problem in the Middle East. Chafee said to Bolton: "You are a brilliant man. Terrorism is a device. Your statement makes no sense. Explain it."

Bolton gave a long and convoluted response but also stated: "There is no basis for peace in the Middle East now." He suggested that one of the reasons why the U.S. has resisted calls for immediate cease fire in the region is that it wants to generate a "comprehensive solution". He said "we need to use current circumstances as a fulcrum to move towards a more stable, longer term solution."

Chafee jumped back: "Can't you go any deeper? This isn't just terrorism. What about the history of terrorism in the region? What are the root causes?"

Bolton continued to duck the question. And jumped back to focus his answer on Hezbollah -- which he said has one foot in as political party, one foot in as military movement and that it would have to abandon its military part for peace to move forward.

Bolton sounded reasonable but still ducked Chafee's question.

So Chafee charged AGAIN.

Chafee said, "We have serious problems now. This is a conflagration. You are not answering my question. What are the root problems? What do we have to get to -- to get to a permanent peace? Is there anything deeper than just terrorism that you can identify as the root cause of the conflagration?

Bolton finally began to yield to Chafee's impressive pressure and focus.

...more...

[whistle]

1. Chafee kept pressing Bolton to go deeper and Bolton just kept...

...up his dance and circled around and around the question. Now Lincoln Chafee is Republican, so I don't know if this was show for the cameras, or if he really was disappointed at Bolton's shallowness of seeing the issues.

[ShortnFiery]

8. Yes Siree!

It reminded me of before I upgraded my IRobot - it would get caught in that dreaded "Circle Dance!" :P

Bolton is seemingly a shallow, dominant and, and at times, a mean spirited negotiator. We need thoughtful and intelligent diplomats to delve into these root causes. Even if we gather the best TEAM, it's still a very daunting challenge. Has anyone asked Gen(Ret.) Anthony Zinni to assist The State Department? IMO getting Zinni involved would be a PLUS.

[theanarch]

9. a little of both, i suspect...

...yes, Chaffee's in trouble back home, and showing some brass balls to the (blue state) voters back home isn't going to hurt--may not help all that much, but it certainly won't hurt. And yes, i can see Chaffee--for all his waffling and conflicted loyalties--as an intelligent and sensible individual who understands Israel's culpability in the on-going crisis, and may have been trying to manouever Bolton into admitting as much (fat chance, but gotta love the guy for trying). I'd also add a third element: wouldn't surprise me one bit if Chaffee, on a purely personal/ethical level, simply despises Bolton as the human being he isn't.

[flyarm]

2. didn't i just read that Chafee was behind in the polls ? or it was close?

funny how when their job is on the line they will finally do their damn jobs!
thanks for reporting this..i saw some of the hearing but i missed Chafee..kerry was very good as well..but Bolton was condensending and arrogant with Kerry and i would say down right disrespectful!

i wanted to gangster slap Bolton...wow how i despise that nasty man!

thanks for reporting this!!

k&R

fly

[existentialist]

14. the poll I read said that Chafee was ahead, but barely,

Just barely more than the margin of error, and the lead was shrinking over time.

[MADem]

3. See, those private school fancy-shmancy educations aren't all bad

...if you have a kid who stays awake in history class and debating in attendance!!

[ShortnFiery]

6. Atta Boy Chafee!

For a Republican ... well you're alright by me today. :thumbsup: :yourock:

[LSK]

4. maybe Chaffee and Voinovich are playing musical chairs?

:shrug:

[Burried News]

5. Is a "Comprehensive Solution" like a Final Solution?

Too bad Armitage never threw Bolton out of a State Department window ... that such a man has risen so high in our government is a testament to its rotteness.

[pinto]

7. Ha. Chafee hit the nail on the head. This is also a war of rhetoric,

and Bolton's playing the Admin card. "Terrorism" as the enemy and "reshaping the Middle East" as the goal. Chafee has a good, nuts and bolts, Yankee head on his shoulders. Kudos to him for calling Bolton out on this vague attempt to portray smoke as substance.

[Swamp Rat]

10. Bolton NEVER sounds reasonable because he is without 'reason.'

[hootinholler]

15. without reason unless...

There's a T in front of it to make it Treason.

-Hoot

[Arkham House]

16. Thanks--I'll try to sleep tonight with that image in my brain...

...come to think of it, Bolton *looks* like he was put together in Dr Frankenstein's laboratory...

[Swamp Rat]

17. I've got plenty more...

:D

[Lefty48197]

11. Chafee voted for the guy that nominated Bolton

and he also voted for Republican leaders like Trent Lott. He's a disgrace to the honorable voters of Rhode Island. They deserve SO MUCH BETTER.

[mom cat]

13. And Chaffe is in a tough race to keep his seat.

[Greeby]

12. And then John Bolton put on his angry mustache

:evilgrin:

[w4rma]

18. Hopefully Chafee has decided he's a lame duck and he might as well use the

rest of his short time in Congress doing something other than supporting the corrupt Republican Party.

[IronLionZion]

19. Chafee is usually good even when it's not election time

good for him. Somebody needs to speak out and ask the tough questions. Hopefully Senator Whitehouse will be even better when he takes office after beating Chafee.