Ambassador Bolton
Ambassador Bolton
#0Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 10:53am
The Bush Administration just went down the toilet.
#1re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 10:54am
washingtonpost.com
Bush Appoints Bolton As U.N. Ambassador
By TERENCE HUNT
The Associated Press
Monday, August 1, 2005; 10:38 AM
WASHINGTON -- President Bush sidestepped the Senate and installed embattled nominee John Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations on Monday, ending a five-month impasse with Democrats who accused Bolton of abusing subordinates and twisting intelligence to fit his conservative ideology.
"This post is too important to leave vacant any longer, especially during a war and a vital debate about UN reform," Bush said. He said Bolton had his complete confidence.
Bush put Bolton on the job in a recess appointment _ an avenue available to the president when the Congress is in recess. Under the Constitution, a recess appointment during the lawmakers' August break would last until the next session of Congress, which begins in January 2007.
Bolton joined Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the announcement ceremony and said he was honored and humbled by the president's appointment. "It will be a distinct privilege to be an advocate for America's values and interests at the U.N. and, in the words of the U.N. charter, to help maintain international peace and security," he said.
Bush said that Bolton's nomination had been supported by a majority of the Senate but that "because of partisan delaying tactics by a handful of senators, John was unfairly denied the up-or-down vote that he deserves."
Bush had refused to give up on Bolton even though the Senate had voted twice to sustain a filibuster against his nominee. Democrats and some Republicans had raised questions about Bolton's fitness for the job, particularly in view of his harsh criticism of the United Nations.
As Bush concluded speaking, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, praised the president for using his authority "to end the obstruction against John Bolton."
"This is an important position and its critical that it not remain vacant any longer. Bolton is exceptionally well qualified to fill this role at this time," Cornyn said in a statement. "I believe John Bolton clearly understands our hope for the U.N., and will fully dedicate himself to reforming a flawed U.N., to one that better advances the principles of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights."
But Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., sharply criticized the move.
"The abuse of power and the cloak of secrecy from the White House continues," Kennedy said. "It's bad enough that the administration stonewalled the Senate by refusing to disclose documents highly relevant to the Bolton nomination. It's even worse for the administration to abuse the recess appointment power by making the appointment while Congress is in this five-week recess. It's a devious maneuver that evades the constitutional requirement of Senate consent and only further darkens the cloud over Mr. Bolton's credibility at the U.N."
Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, a senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said, "The president has done a real disservice to our nation by appointing an individual who lacks to the credibility to further U.S. interests at the United Nations. I will be monitoring his performance closely to ensure that he does not abuse his authority as he has in the past."
Republican Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio also said he was disappointed in the appointment.
"I am truly concerned that a recess appointment will only add to John Bolton's baggage and his lack of credibility with the United Nations," Voinovich said.
Bolton's appointment ends a five-month impasse between the administration and Senate Democrats.
The battle grabbed headlines last spring amid accusations that Bolton abused subordinates and twisted intelligence to shape his conservative ideology, and as White House and GOP leadership efforts to ram the nomination through the Senate fell short.
In recent weeks, it faded into the background as the Senate prepared to begin a nomination battle over John Roberts, the federal appeals judge that Bush chose to replace the retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at the Supreme Court.
At Bolton's April confirmation hearing, Democrats raised additional questions about his demeanor and attitude toward lower-level government officials. Those questions came to dominate Bolton's confirmation battle, growing into numerous allegations that he had abused underlings or tried to browbeat intelligence analysts whose views differed from his own.
Despite lengthy investigations, it was never clear that Bolton did anything improper. Witnesses told the committee that Bolton lost his temper, tried to engineer the ouster of at least two intelligence analysts and otherwise threw his weight around. But Democrats were never able to establish that his actions crossed the line to out-and-out harassment or improper intimidation.
Separately, Democrats and the White House deadlocked over Bolton's acknowledged request for names of U.S officials whose communications were secretly picked up by the National Security Agency. Democrats said the material might show that Bolton conducted a witch hunt for analysts or others who disagreed with him.
The top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee received a limited briefing on the contents of the messages Bolton saw, but were not told the names.
Democrats said that was not good enough, but later offered a compromise. After much back and forth, with the White House claiming Democrats had moved the goal posts, no other senator saw any of the material.
Last week, the administration telegraphed Bush's intention to put Bolton on the job.
White House press secretary Scott McClellan said the vacancy needed to be filled before the U.N. General Assembly's annual meeting in mid-September. Former Sen. John Danforth left the post in January.
In a letter released Friday, 35 Democratic senators and one independent, Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont, urged Bush not to give Bolton a recess appointment.
"There's just too much unanswered about Bolton, and I think the president would make a truly serious mistake if he makes a recess appointment," Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview.
Bush Appoints Bolton As U.N. Ambassador
#2re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 10:57am"He's damaged goods. This is a person who lacks credibility," Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, a senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on "Fox News Sunday."
#3re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 11:00am
worse yet, the Congress doesn't meet in 2006????
This is horrible news. This means Adolf Bush can do whatever he wants. It happened in Germany.....it is happening here.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#4re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 11:04am
Keeee-Rist! Doesn't Bush always take August off? I thought we had a month to relax and here he pulls this stunt.
You New Yorkers, would you mind heading over to the UN with a big sign that says "Most of America Apologises" or some such?
brdlwyr
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/14/05
#5re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 11:05amThis is truly an outrage, but no less should be espected from this corrupt and tiresome adminstration.
#6re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 11:10am
Well, what I really love is we've heard "whine, whine, whine" about the filibuster from these creeps, who then resort to a VERY similar tactic to install the man. They constantly claim to have the market cornered on some kind of moral high ground but they prove, once again, that they're the dirtiest of the dirty.
#7re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 11:30am
"The Bush Administration just went down the toilet."
What do you mean "just"?
#8re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 11:39am
LOL, Matt.
I meant officially--and un-plunge-ably.
=====
MSNBC POLL:
Live Vote
Is it appropriate for President Bush to bypass the Senate and appoint John Bolton to be U.N. ambassador?
34193 responses
Yes 26%
No 74%
#9re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 11:53am
AOL Poll
What do you think of Bush's decision to bypass Congress on the Bolton appointment?
I oppose it 67%
I support it 33%
Do you think Bolton will do a good job as U.N. ambassador?
No 59%
Yes 29%
Maybe 13%
Total Votes: 12,204
#10re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 12:02pmHouse Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi: "The American people deserve better."
#11re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 12:08pmYou have to check out the picture of Bush and Bolton on msnbc.com's front page. Why is it that no matter in what venue his picture is taken, Bush always looks like a dork. Bolton doesn't look much better either.
#14re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 1:36pm
"At a time when we need to reassert our diplomatic power in the world, President Bush has decided to send a seriously flawed and weakened candidate to the United Nations. It's an unnecessary result, and the latest abuse of power by the Bush White House. ... Bolton arrives at the United Nations with a cloud hanging over his head."
--Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
"The abuse of power and the cloak of secrecy from the White House continues. ... It's a devious maneuver that evades the constitutional requirement of Senate consent and only further darkens the cloud over Mr. Bolton's credibility at the U.N."
--Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.
"I am truly concerned that a recess appointment will only add to John Bolton's baggage and his lack of credibility with the United Nations. That said, the president has made this decision, and I will do everything in my power to support Mr. Bolton as he takes this new position."
--Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio
"John Bolton has placed his faith in a unilateral, go-it-alone foreign policy that has stretched our military thin, and I believe his inability to be an effective and constructive ambassador could produce dire consequences for American foreign policy."
--Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
"Making this recess appointment is certainly the president's right, but it is not right for America. Appointing John Bolton to the United Nations sends a terrible message to our intelligence professionals. It is the wrong signal for our intelligence reform efforts."
--Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.
"John Bolton is the wrong person for the job and the decision to appoint him today will not serve American foreign policy well at all. ... His history of inflammatory statements about the U.N. will also make it difficult for him to effectively advance U.S. security interests in New York and bring about necessary reforms to that institution."
--Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.
"The president has the right to make this recess appointment, but it's the wrong decision. It only diminishes John Bolton's validity and leverage to secure America's goals at the U.N. John Bolton has been rejected twice by the Senate to serve as our Ambassador to the United Nations. This is not the way to fill our most important diplomatic jobs."
--Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
"He is exactly the wrong person to send to the United Nations at a time when we are trying to rebuild our credibility around the world. ... I now fear that we have lost an important opportunity to help re-establish the United States' global role as a moral and responsible leader."
--Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.
"It's sad that even while the president preaches democracy around the world, he bends the rules and circumvents the will of Congress in appointing our representative to the United Nations." --Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J.
#15re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 3:03pmI heard that John Bolton went on for Tim Curry in Spamalot the other night. He sure is busy. :)
#16re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 3:09pm
CNN Poll
Do you agree with President Bush's decision to use a recess appointment to install John Bolton as U.N. ambassador?
Yes 30% 21017 votes
No 70% 49436 votes
Total: 70453 votes
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#17re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 6:02pm
For the record, Clinton made 140 recess apointments - judges, an ambassador & asst attorney general. Dodd also said the recess apointment process has been "abused" by BOTH parties
Mull & discuss boys & girls as I am sitting down to dinner in a bit. It is called politics which is down & dirty . It got so nauseating I stepped away from it but just wanted to put this in the mix. I did not vote last election & will not do so again in any election . After 59 years, I am mad as hell & I am not going to take it anymore & have gotten fed up. A pox on both parties.
#18re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 6:15pm
None of those 140 recess appointments had been essentially rejected by a bipartisan alliance of Senators.
None of those 140 recess appointments "weakens the United States," in the words of REPUBLICAN senator Pat Roberts.
Mr Roxy, if you're not voting, then you're what's wrong with America: disinterest. You complain about BOTH sides, when it's the Republicans who are polluting politics. Then you roll over and let them walk all over you. All over me. All over US.
A pox on YOU for not voting.
Mamie
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/26/04
#19re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 6:17pm
The AOL poll numbers are particularly interesting because they always slew heavily to the right.
This is filth - any way you look at it.
A click for life.
mamie4 5/14/03
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#20re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 6:52pm
To Pal Joey
You just proved my point. You cannot have a reason political discussion when one side thinks they are never wrong & people are calling the President Hitler & Dean saying he hates all Republicans. If you disagree with GWB, state your objections & refute arguements. Name calling is for little kids in a sandbox
The meanspiritedness comes from both parties but I think the DEMS have the edge there. If you disagree , fine. The problem is you cannot mildly disagree. If some one advocated for the GOP, they are automatically branded as a homophobe, bigot & a child molester. This is not political debate. It is name calling & it resembles kids throwing mud @ each other. I am a registered Independent. I can tell you things I witnessed the DEMS doing in NYC that affected me & many others negatively. Talk about stolen elections, try Kennedy/Nixon. It is known Papa Joe bought the West Virginia primary for Jack as well as Illinois & possibly Texas in the election. I could go on & on but why open myself for more attacks
You like the DEMS & hate the GOP, fine. I am finished with the hate, name calling, double dealing politicians from both sides of the aisle & their supporters/detractors. If you want them , they are yours
Allegro Gal
Swing Joined: 8/1/05
#21re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 7:08pm
I love Pal Joey! A co-worker showed me his posts on this site so here I am.
Fallacious testimony, perjury about war and life and death by Republicans? No Prob...
Fellatio testimony, perjury about consensual sex by Democrats? Impeachable....
Yes, let's sacrifice our young men and women to spread "democracy" (actuallly a theocracy since the new constituion means women will have it worse than ever before) while curtailing it here. And then we can copy THEM and strip a woman of her right to choose in the theocracy that has taken hold here.
I would love to see statistics on hate crimes against CINO's (Christian's In Name Only) compared the those against gay people, racial minorities and people who do NOT think the "God" worshipped by the CINO's. Something tells me the numbers would NOT support the fundies claims they are persecuted.
This country was supposed to be about freedom- freedom to choose how you life you life, what you worship, how you express yourself. It seems that the biggest problem with all religions is that they say their god is the only one and their views are the only ones. That is not freedom and I am embarrassed when traveling abroad how much the world hates us for the double standard/arrogance/abuse the "leaders" dish out in the name of "decency"
Would the red state people (who lead in divorces, illiteracy, etc) stand for it if a law werepassed syaing they were accountable for their child's obesity? Let's slap them with fines or take away their right to be a parent. It is not different than the struggle my gay brother faces trying to have a 15 year relationship recognized. Equality means equality- you can't give it to some and not to others....
Keep going PJ...
#22re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 9:50pm
You go, Allegro Gal! Preach it, sister, PREACH it!
Seriously, welcome! Thank your co-worker for the kind words, and I hope you're both here to stay!
Keep fighting the good fight!
#23re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/1/05 at 10:18pm
Mr Roxy, I would rather you vote a straight Republican ticket than not vote at all. I think even the staunchest Republican on this board would say the same thing in reverse.
Think of the example you're setting to the young people on this board, who look up to you. You want them to say, "Why should I vote? Mr Roxy says neither side is worth voting for."
Voting is not just a right, it's a responsibility. And disagreeing and protesting--loudly, vehemently, even stridently--is the best way of showing love for this country.
Say you'll give up this practice of Not Voting and promise us all you'll vote in the 2006 congressional elections. If not for yourself, for the kids of BroadwayWorld.
#24re: Ambassador Bolton
Posted: 8/2/05 at 4:03pm
Yikes. Was just sent this...
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