Lincoln Chafee held up a vote on John Bolton’s confirmation in the Foreign Relations Committee, saying he has more questions. He mentioned expanded Jewish settlements in the West Bank, in particular. Chafee faces a tough primary challenge on Tuesday, and probably did not want to commit either way. Without Chafee’s vote the committee would hang at 9-9, and the vote could not be sent to floor with a recommendation.
Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) is reportedly encouraging his Democratic colleagues to filibuster Bolton if he comes up for a vote. I hear Frist cannot possibly muster more than 59 votes, and therefore a filibuster will likely succeed. Some of the more prominent new supporters of Bolton include Senator Voinovich (R-OH) who opposed him last year, and lawyer Alan Dershowitz, who loves his tough pro-Israel, anti-Iran stances.
As for Chafee, if he loses his primary he will probably see no further reason to vote for Bolton. If he wins his primary he will want to tack to the left, and therefore will probably oppose Bolton.
It will be difficult for the Mustache to make it through and win confirmation. If he does not, he will have to be replaced in January, when his recess appointment expires.
Thanks for this post, Boo. I was actually quite pessimistic on this issue.
This makes me feel better.
Second sentence of second para is confusing.
yeah, I guess Voinovich is not a Democrat. Duh.
You`d think there would be a lot more than expanding the Jewish settlements in the west bank to not vote for him. That is one guy that
should never be in the position of ambassador, to anything.
It seems like he carries around a war drum wherever he goes, & constantly beats on it. He makes me sick to just see him on TV, & I have a hell of a strong stomach.
I wish someone would tell him to take his drum & beat it.
Thank you for covering this, Booman. Mr Bolton is a major obstacle to achieving global agreement on many important issues. The feedback I have had from UN HQ is that he is a bull in a china shop. In one sense, this accurately represents the US position in today’s world. In another sense, it is a disaster for the world’s future prospects.
…and proof positive that the Bush administration is determined to conduct purposely failed diplomacy. You might as well put Ann Coulter in Bolton’s job.