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| Biden says Bolton nomination "going nowhere" |
| 2006-11-09 |
| John Bolton's troubled nomination as US ambassador to the United Nations is "going nowhere", a key Democratic senator said today after the party scored big in mid-term elections. Joseph Biden of Delaware is expected to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee if Democratic control of the US Senate is formally confirmed. "I never saw a real enthusiasm (for Bolton's nomination) on the Republican side to begin with. There's none on our side. And I think John Bolton's going nowhere," he said. Mr Bolton, the controversial former undersecretary of state in charge of non-proliferation, was nominated by President George W Bush to be UN envoy in March 2005. But after his confirmation was blocked in the Republican-led Senate, Mr Bush made a recess appointment, which will last until the new Congress convenes in January 2007. After Tuesday's elections Democrats now control the US House of Representatives and, US media outlets say, the Senate as well. Before voters cast their ballots, there was talk of Mr Bush re-submitting Mr Bolton's nomination. Another possibility was having Mr Bush appoint Mr Bolton to another US government job so he could still be paid but assigning him to work at the UN. Senate Democratic aides said they did not know if such a move would be legal |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #15 Hubris is defined when facts defined. Drudge is reporting; Preliminary: Senate Ballots cast: 31,591,495 (D) 25,054,569 (R)... combined vote 56.6 million. Despite the population going over 300 million for the first time ever. 83% of the population is eligible. 23% of eligible participated. Compare this turnout to say 1994 when total votes cast for Senators was 57,716,000! Result 12 years later voter turnout was 1.1 million less than 1994. Despite the above mentioned data. The total expenditures by both parties set a supposed record. ( waiting for final data) The effectivness of those dollars per vote sets a new record low. |
| Posted by: Elmolusing Jomons8064 2006-11-09 21:13 |
| #14 then the US will be unrepresented at the blessed UN. Two can play |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-11-09 18:40 |
| #13 Frank - I doubt Biden will even schedule a Bolton hearing. That's how they play. |
| Posted by: mrp 2006-11-09 18:27 |
| #12 Bush is renominating Bolton - see my latest post - let's see Biden have a battle of wits against Bolton. An unarmed man shouldn't fight |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-11-09 18:20 |
| #11 better lock in those mortgage rates now. Back in the 70's 12 percent was considered a "good rate". When we bought our first house in 1982, we were thrilled to get an 18% fixed rate on a dip; the going rate at the time was 21%. (When we were engaged, Mr. Wife said to me, "You can have any ring you want, darling, or a new bed." He followed that with, "You can have any wedding you want, darling, or a house." And he's bullied me on budgeting by giving me similar choices ever since, the brute!) If Mr. Bolton can stay in the UN ambassadorship without going through confirmation hearings for the next two years, I'd be satisfied, so long as he stays. We've not often had effective people in that slot, and despite how horrid and counterproductive the UN is, it's a situation that must be managed proactively lest, like the news media, it spins out of control. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-11-09 14:46 |
| #10 Let Biden say what he wants. I think Bush should defy congress on this one. Do what he wants. And when it goes to the courts, he cn have Bolton there "Temporarly" for two years. Let them shelve it in committee, or filibuster. Even down 49-51, they wonyt have 51 No votes so this could be "interesting"... |
| Posted by: BigEd 2006-11-09 13:55 |
| #9 i don't see gridlock; that implies lack of movement. i do see backsliding on any number of fronts; including defense. i expect a gutting of the contracts for new carriers, the JSF, any number of Army and Marine armor upgrades, etc. i agree with assessment of interest rates climbing; glad i have a fixed rate. |
| Posted by: USN, ret. 2006-11-09 13:46 |
| #8 I wish, it would be perfect. Instant, massive buyers remorese. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2006-11-09 13:43 |
| #7 I hear Jimmy Carter is available for UN ambassador. |
| Posted by: ed 2006-11-09 11:01 |
| #6 Bolton has, in part, fostered international consensus resulting in resolutions regarding Lebanon and N. Korea. N. Korea has tentatively agreed to return to the six-party negations. There continues to be some traction regarding sanctions against Iran. And he never misses an appropriate opportunity to call for reform at the UN. Yeah JoeÂ…heÂ’s such a hotheadÂ…throw the bum out and replace him with him with someone more Powell-esque. QuickÂ…get Albright on the blower! |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2006-11-09 10:47 |
| #5 better lock in those mortgage rates now. Back in the 70's 12 percent was considered a "good rate". |
| Posted by: anon 2006-11-09 10:46 |
| #4 Might get the deficit down If the 70s are any indication, that will be on the backs of the men and women of the uniformed services. The Donks will make them the whipping boys for their efforts. Defense will be gutted again. Rummey is the first over the side, the warriors are next. They're political bargaining chips for the next 2+ years. |
| Posted by: Procopius2K 2006-11-09 10:29 |
| #3 I can live with 2 years of total gridlock. Might get the deficit down. |
| Posted by: ed 2006-11-09 09:21 |
| #2 Back to non-Constitutional activity. The Senate defining who appointments may be and, instead of just vetting nominees. What a travesty. |
| Posted by: badanov 2006-11-09 09:19 |
| #1 Biden is a dickweed. My contacts with Bolton's people have proven to me that John has some balls. Something liberals hate. |
| Posted by: Icerigger 2006-11-09 09:05 |