Posted on 11/09/2006 12:57:57 PM PST by Leroy S. Mort
WASHINGTON (AP) - Prospects for extending John Bolton's job as U.N. ambassador essentially died Thursday as Democrats and a pivotal Republican said they would continue to oppose the nomination.
It was another blow to President Bush two days after Democrats triumphed in elections that will give them control of Congress next year. On Wednesday, Bush had announced that Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, a polarizing figure and face of the Iraq war, would step down.
On Thursday the White House resubmitted Bolton's nomination to the Senate, where the appointment has languished for more than a year. Bush appointed him to the job temporarily in August 2005 while Congress was in recess, an appointment that will expire in January.
Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., who was defeated by Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse on Tuesday, told reporters in Rhode Island on Thursday that he would continue opposing Bolton. That would deny Republicans the votes they would need to move Bolton's nomination from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the full Senate.
Democrats indicated that even should the Senate try debating Bolton's nomination when lawmakers reconvene next week - still under Republican control - they would stretch out debate on Bolton with the aim of killing it.
``I see no point in considering Mr. Bolton's nomination again in the Foreign Relations Committee because regardless of what happens there, he is unlikely to be considered by the full Senate,'' said Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee.
Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., who was defeated by Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse on Tuesday, told reporters in Rhode Island on Thursday that he would continue opposing Bolton.
And a RINO to the end...
LOL. Make him ambassador to Sudan.
Move the nomination to the floor. Come on, Republicans! For once in this stinking Congress, show some backbone!
Sudan...with no budget for security...
Scorched-Earth policy in effect, I see. Thanks, Chafee. You were useless until the end.
Throw Chafee off the Committee.
What are the Dems' real complaints about Bolton? The only thing I can figure is that he doesn't have his nose up Annan's backside and the Dems want someone who will sell out the US's interests in favor of the UN's.
....and take away the Marine guards and give Chafee a spear.
There was talk of appointing Bolton to some State Dept. post which doesn't require Senate confirmation and then making him acting ambassador to the UN.
We need only 50 votes. Bolton isn't a bill, so in theory, filibusters can't stick.
But...but...but, THAT just isn't done! < /s >
I am glad he's gone. I just wish we could have kept the Senate without him.
Not a bad idea. I was thinking of making him Ambassador to Iran and dropping the Equalizer.
Angling for a position in the next Dem administration?
I thought Chaffee placed a senatorial 'hold' on Bolton's nomination.
Chafee's constant volunteering to be a "pivot man" for the DemocRATS is why he'll be going home in January.
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