Voinovich Backs Bolton
In a surprise turnaround, George V. Voinovich is backing John Bolton for regular confirmation (as opposed to his existing recess appointment). Voinovich, Senator from Ohio, opposed Bolton originally. Now he's calling for Democrats to back a nomination as well.
Meanwhile, the administration nominated John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
At the time, I opposed Bolton's nomination because I truly believed he was not the right person to represent America in the United Nations. And it's in the nomination process that we have the opportunity to find someone who is not just adequate but right for the job.
After countless conversations and hours of research into his professional record, I came to the conclusion that the country could do better, and I announced that I would not support the Bolton nomination.
When Bolton was given a recess appointment to the U.N. post by President Bush in August 2005, I voiced my opposition but told him that I would work tirelessly to help him reform the United Nations. I also told him that his success in his new role would have an impact on our country, the world and the future of the United Nations.
My original concerns about Bolton involved his interpersonal skills. Also of concern was his reputation for straying off message and a tendency to "go it alone" instead of working to build consensus with his colleagues. I have met and spoken regularly with him since his appointment, discussing my hope that the United States would indeed build such a consensus at the United Nations and work with our allies.
My observations are that while Bolton is not perfect, he has demonstrated his ability, especially in recent months, to work with others and follow the president's lead by working multilaterally. In recent weeks I have watched him react to the challenges involving North Korea, Iran and now the Middle East, speaking on behalf of the United States.
I believe Bolton has been tempered and focused on speaking for the administration. He has referred regularly to "my instructions" from Washington, while also displaying his own clear and strong grasp of the issues and the way forward within the Security Council. He has stood many times side by side with his colleagues from Japan, Britain, Canada and other countries, showing a commitment to cooperation within the United Nations.
This is a pretty big political turnaround. I can't recall this sort of thing happening in the past.
Should the president send his renomination to the Senate, I will vote to confirm him, and I call on my Democratic colleagues to keep in mind the current situation in the Middle East and the rest of the world should the Senate have an opportunity to vote. I do not believe the United States, at this dangerous time, can afford to have a U.N. ambassador who does not have Congress's full support.
For the good of our country, the United Nations and the free world, we must end any ambiguity about whether John Bolton speaks for the United States so that he can work to support our interests at the United Nations during this critical time.
I suspect that Bush will be sending Bolton's nomination to the Hill. Maybe it's time to just confirm him to a regular appointment seems to be the message.
Other Links to this Post
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Old War Dogs — Wednesday, 19 July , 2006 @ 11:43 pm
By Bill Faith, Wednesday, 19 July , 2006 @ 11:46 pm
Old War Dogs linked from ‘My Favorite U. N. Ambassador: “Hezbollah Is A Cancer Within Lebanon†(Video)’ http://www.oldwardogs.us/2006/07/my_favorite_u_n.html
By Daveg, Thursday, 20 July , 2006 @ 6:25 am
I’m still waiting for the apology, and the literal crying about it at the time was disgraceful.
By TC@LeatherPenguin, Thursday, 20 July , 2006 @ 6:31 am
He’s the one that was practically crying when Bolton was first nominated, right? I guess those tears of frustrated outrage polled seriously “are you an idiot?” with the folks back home, so now he’s all for Ambassador Bolton… and Regis, his straight talking moustache.
By owl, Thursday, 20 July , 2006 @ 7:29 am
Also of concern was his reputation for straying off message and a tendency to “go it alone” instead of working to build consensus with his colleagues.
Yep…..remember it well the way you worked with your colleagues and the President.
My observations are that while Bolton is not perfect, he has demonstrated his ability, especially in recent months, to work with others and follow the president’s lead by working multilaterally.
Yep…remember it well the way you worked with the President…
I do not believe the United States, at this dangerous time, can afford to have a U.N. ambassador who does not have Congress’s full support.
Ahh…you noticed the US needed one voice…
Voinovich needed a vacation. Bolton 2008. The man is not afraid to be American.
By Daveg, Thursday, 20 July , 2006 @ 8:48 am
He’s the one that was practically crying when Bolton was first nominated
Not “practically,” “actually.”
By TC@LeatherPenguin, Thursday, 20 July , 2006 @ 9:38 am
Not “practically,†“actually.â€
Thanks, Daveg. I knew there was a reason that boob’s name leapt up in the old brainpan when it was coupled with Regis’s caddy.