The real John Bolton is not the man described by Democrats

Manchester Union Leader ^ | April 27, 2005 | Frances Bolton

[billorites]

IN THE past several weeks, Senate Democrats have mercilessly tried to define John Bolton, President Bush’s nominee to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, as the kind of person who mistreats subordinates.

I know his management style to be radically different from what is alleged. In the five years I worked for John Bolton (who shares my family name but is no relation) — at the Department of State and the American Enterprise Institute think tank — I never witnessed him treating a subordinate with anything but respect and courtesy. John Bolton is a man of high standards, who holds himself to the same high standards he expects of others.

During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting the other week, Democrats — especially Senators Joseph Biden of Delaware, Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, John Kerry of Massachusetts and Barbara Boxer of California — piled on numerous baseless accusations regarding Bolton’s behavior. Dodd said, “(I)t’s rare indeed for me to express objection to a nominee. And I would not do so were it strictly a matter of substantive disagreements. This had nothing to do with substantive disagreements.”

But it’s only fair to look at Dodd’s comments before the Senate in 2001, in opposing Bolton’s nomination to be undersecretary of state for arms control and international security. Back then Dodd’s line was “There is no question that Mr. Bolton is an individual of integrity and intelligence. He has demonstrated those qualities throughout his career.”

What gives? This is politics, folks.

But let’s not have that get in the way of reforming the United Nations when the agency’s scandals — relating to its handling of the oil-for-food program, sexual harassment, sexual abuse by peacekeepers in the Congo, officials’ skimming money from the books of U.N. agencies, and so forth — require the leadership of someone willing to call a spade a spade.

The Democrats are turning to character assassination, rather than substantive arguments, to prevent Bolton, who has strong ideas for reforming the United Nations, from being confirmed.

President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice chose Bolton because he knows how to get things done. I know from personal experience how true this is.

Here are just a few examples: He helped build a coalition of more than 60 countries to help combat the spread of dangerous weapons, through the Proliferation Security Initiative; he led negotiations of the Treaty of Moscow, signed by Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, to reduce nuclear warheads by two-thirds; he led negotiations of the successful G-8 Global Partnership against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; he spearheaded America’s diplomatic effort in 1991 that led to the repeal of the U.N. General Assembly’s 1975 resolution that equated Zionism and racism; and he led U.S.-government efforts to secure almost 100 bilateral agreements that ensure that the International Criminal Court will not use our servicemen and -women in politicized prosecutions.

Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., strikes me as a man who likes to get the full story before making a decision. I hope he gets my message before he votes on Bolton’s nomination, in early May.

I could go on about the terrific work environment John Bolton created in our office — the intellect, energy and focus he brought to the office every day that I worked with him. I continue to be inspired by the privilege of having worked for him.

Frances Bolton — no relation to John Bolton — a graduate student at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, is a former special assistant to John Bolton in his role as undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, and was his assistant when he was the senior vice president of the American Enterprise Institute.

[lilmsdangrus]

btt

[anniegetyourgun]

I trust the lib/dems are gonna feel the pain for their politics of personal destruction games. This nominee MUST be confirmed.

[Beth528]

Move America Forward Co-Chair Melanie Morgan said Democrats should be ashamed of attacking a man who stands up for American values.

The senators who have ambushed John Bolton seem more in tune with Kofi Annan and the tyrants, despots and dictators who dominate the U.N. than President Bush and the interests of the American people.

Kerry, lost you bunch of Moron's so get over it.If you don't then watch it because most of the people of this country are getting mighty sick and tired of you.

[Beth528]