Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/09/bolton.congress/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITI CS/11/09/bolton.congress/index.html</a> If you all remember, Bush submitted the name of John Bolton as U.N. ambassador during an August 2005 recess. He met with opposition from both sides of the aisle. He's never been confirmed. On the same day Bush preached bipartisanship, he asked the now lame duck Congress to confirm Bolton and also his domestic surveillance program. Joe Biden let it be known there's no use in submitting Bolton's name. The surveillance program is also in jeopardy. Whoever is advising Bush should be fired.
Originally Posted By jonvn He was never confirmed? Then what is he doing at the UN? I thought he was confirmed. I guess I never paid too much attention because, well, it's the UN, and it's meaningless.
Originally Posted By gadzuux It's even more meaningless than usual with bolton as UN ambassador. Bolton's recess appointment was one of the most glaring examples of the odd combination of arrogance, incompetence, and cynicism that has been the hallmark of the bush administration. And yeah - he's essentially asking for a few more quick rubberstamps out of this pushover congress before it's gone forever. And pretending to blow smoke about bipartisan efforts with the new congress. Absolutely no sense of integrity, decency or personal honor.
Originally Posted By jonvn well, the senate dems can filibuster anything at this point. The republicans don't have enough votes to stop it.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Bolton's recess appointment was one of the most glaring examples of the odd combination of arrogance, incompetence, and cynicism that has been the hallmark of the bush administration. >>> Ain't that The Truth. We have a process in place (mandated by that pesky document called the Constitution) whereby the Senate must approve all Presidential appointments. Bush knew that Bolton would never be confirmed, so he used the "recess appointment" mechansism to get him into office anyway. It's quite clear that the notion of a recess appointment is there to allow the President to fill vacant positions during times when the Senate is not in session. It was never designed to allow the President to appoint someone that could not be confirmed to office and have them serve for what now has been 15+ months, through a full year of the Senate being in session. <<< Absolutely no sense of integrity, decency or personal honor. >>> It's easy to be all for "personal responsibility" and integrity when you by definition decide that everything you do is good and that it's always the other guy that's wrong and should be held accountable.
Originally Posted By alexbook >>He was never confirmed? Then what is he doing at the UN? I thought he was confirmed.<< He's there on a temporary basis. If nothing changes, his appointment ends when the new Senate shows up in January.
Originally Posted By ecdc CNN is now reporting that Lincoln Chafee will block Bolton's nomination making a tie vote on the committee. Chafee said the voters have spoken against Bush on many issues and he's not going against that. In other words, Chafee has the integrity that Bush so clearly lacks.
