Posted on 04/20/2005 2:36:53 PM PDT by swilhelm73
As if the constant retreat on judicial nominations didn't demonstrate the lack of effective GOP leadership in the Senate clearly enough, today's embarassment at the Foreign Relations Committee certainly underscored the fecklessness of the Republicans in garnering effective support for the President's agenda and nominees. Today's victim left twisting in the wind was played by John Bolton, and the role of Brutus was filled by George Voinovich (R-OH):
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed a scheduled vote Tuesday on President Bush's pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations when a Republican member balked at voting during a contentious hearing. Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, the committee's Republican chairman, had pushed for a vote on John Bolton's nomination Tuesday afternoon.
That plan was derailed after a member of the panel's Republican majority joined Democrats in seeking a delay so the committee could consider new allegations about Bolton's conduct. "I've heard enough today that I don't feel comfortable about voting for Mr. Bolton," said Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio.
Voinovich may have played Brutus in this little drama, but the author of the play is Bill Frist. How difficult can the Republicans make the confirmation process? Frist knew that Bolton would get heavily scrutinized, and this shows that either the GOP leadership failed to properly prepare even the committee members for the predictable attacks of the Democrats or did not inform the White House of the lack of will that would be shown Bolton by FRC Republicans.
Don't get me wrong. Bolton makes an excellent candidate for a sick and dysfunctional United Nations. Turtle Bay does not need another milquetoast diplomat uttering soothing, why-can't-we-just-get-along cliches and excusing the corruption and incompetence of the Annan regime. The UN badly needs immediate reform, and it will only get it if Western nations start sending no-nonsense, tough-minded and tough-mouthed representatives to the UN like John Bolton.
Frist should have ensured that the Republican FRC members knew this, and also knew the slime that Democrats would throw to resist Bolton's candidacy. That's part of the leadership's responsibilities, as well as preparing for waverers and keeping them in line. Frist managed to keep Chafee from flopping, but apparently no one checked in with Voinovich. He didn't check in with Chuck Hagel either, who told reporters that he might not vote for Bolton once he gets to the full Senate.
Ohio Republicans should send a message to Voinovich to get him back on board to approve Bolton's nomination. The rest of the party should ask themselves if this Senate majority has any hope of keeping the caucus in line, or if Frist plans on continuing to make Harry Reid look like a political genius.
You might have already seen this.
I trust that the Ohio Republicans will remember this dude when he comes up for election again?
Frist is worthless. What a total lack of leadership. Could this idiot and the RINOs squander a majority any worse?
More evidence that the majority party in the Senate is working very hard to become the minority party in the Senate. I for one am through with this bunch. Third party for me from now on.
If the parties' majorities in Congress were reversed, the MSM would be howling about the tyranny of the minority, the mandate for Democrats, etc. The liberals can't control this country through the democratic process, so they'll use the backdoor through the courts. The nomination process for judges is freedom's last stand.
Voinovich was just quoted on Brit's show as saying the "holy Spirit" moved him to vote against Bolton..gawd..I really hate these people..
McCain just said that Bolton deserves an up-or-down vote...Hello..banging my head on the wall here..the same McCain who just said he wouldn't vote for the nuclear option..
Better yet, they could send a strong message by targeting Dewine's chances for re-election in '06.
Are you kidding?
If he actually said that I would recommend this man double check just what spirit was whispering in his ear.
He uses that in speeches from time to time.
No need to wait till the election -- write or call him today.
I'm from Indiana and just sent a note to my senator, Richard Lugar, about his part in this mess.
Voinovich, "The Holy Spirit moved me to withhold my vote."
Direct quote from Carl Cameron..
There's a saying in the military that "there's no such thing as bad troops -- only bad officers." I think it also applies in this case.
Our Republican senators are an okay group, on balance -- but only with some better leadership who can knock heads and inspire some fear or respect.
"Mr. President, I want you to know that everyone in this room is praying for you, and we ask the Holy Spirit to help you in your decision-making," Voinovich said.Who knows. He may be sincere in that he prayerfully considered the angst of the DEM participants, and decided more dirt throwing and rebuttal was needed.http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/08/01/loc_ohbush01.html
I do not think it is going to be easy, but I think we can do that. I ask my colleagues to join in the constructive work of this body. Let us make it happen. I pray that the Holy Spirit inspires us to do it, for ourselves, for our children, our grandchildren and, yes, the world.
I yield the floor.http://voinovich.senate.gov/floorstmnts/statement-020305.htm
In a July 12 phone call initiated by the National Coalition and including select friends of the organization, Ohio Senator George Voinovich underscored the need for the work of the Holy Spirit among senators and urged us to pray for him and for others. ...
http://www.nationalcoalition.org/media/ebrief/040713.html
Voinovich was against Bush's tax cut, along with a few other GOP senators (Snowe, for sure). At any rate, this is just a setback, not a defeat. Not a defeat yet. But given the degree of acrimony, I would expect that the DEMs will use cloture rules against confirming Bolton, once the nomination reaches the floor of the Senate.
What happened to separation of Church and state? Are the Dems screaming yet about this comment? [sarcasm]
Unbelievable. He's trying to pin his betrayal on the Holy Spirit? The man is a fool.
At this point, I try to tune out the GOP leadership as much as possible. I've never seen a group given so much yet do so little.
He is very mistaken.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.