Voinovich Slams Bolton but OKs Senate Vote (link)

[Career Prole]

Edited to change headline from what was posted at Yahoonews at the time the my post was made, which was "Voinovich to Vote for 'Bullying' Bolton"

WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. George Voinovich (news, bio, voting record) of Ohio agreed on Thursday to let the contentious nomination of John Bolton as United Nations ambassador go to the full Senate for a vote. But he issued a scathing attack on Bolton.

Voinovich portrayed Bolton, now the top arms-control diplomat at the State Department, as "arrogant" and "bullying."

"John Bolton is the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should not be," Voinovich said. He said Bolton would be fired if he was in private business.

"That being said, Mr. Chairman, I am not so arrogant to think that I should impose my judgment and perspective of the U.S. position in the world community on the rest of my colleagues," he added. "We owe it to the president to give Mr. Bolton an up or down vote on the floor."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050512/ap_on_go_co/un_ambassador

What a crock o' shit. :grr:

[YEM]

1. What a pandering douchebag.

I guess it was all show.

[Pirate Smile]

2. The Headline is misleading. He will vote for it to go to the full Senate

but he won't vote to recommend him for the job.

[still_one]

6. Correct

I wouldn't trash him too much, if it wasn't for him, they would not have been able to get more information about the bum bolton before it goes to a full senate vote

[kainah]

15. AND will argue AGAINST him on the floor

Voinovich has just shown a pretty large amount of courage in bucking his party and saying he does not believe Bolton is qualified for this position. He alone among repugs -- at this point -- is denying Bolton the recommendation of the committee that Lugar thought was a done deal three weeks ago.

And yet DUers trash him? Get real, folks. Thank him for doing what's right. If he couldn't go 100% to our side, appreciate what he did give us -- which is the distinct possibility of defeating this nomination. It's fine for us to have rock solid beliefs but when they go against all rational appreciation of how the system really works, they don't do our cause much good.

And, when it gets to the floor, also watch Mike DeWine, R-OH. He's also a bit of a maverick and with the example of Voinovich in front of him, he could be another key vote.

[HarveyBrooks]

60. DeWine a maverick!?!?!?!?

I'm from Ohio & I've never known him to be anything but a lockstep repuke.

[kainah]

63. he's cast a couple surprising votes this term

Sorry that I can't remember them right now but I know he has. I agree that he's been pretty much just a loyal repug for most of his career but things have swung so far to the right in this regime that DeWine might even have been left in the middle. In any case, I do think he's someone we should encourage and watch a little more closely than we have. And especially with Voinovich being the leader in this vote.

Don't bet the farm on it -- or even $5 -- but keep hope alive. :-)

[lancdem]

71. I agree

The WH engaged in a lot of arm-twisting with wavering Repugs on the committee; it's hard to resist that, and Voinovich has shown some coruage.

[ozymandius]

57. Then what is the POINT of the Senate committee if they approve of sending

his nomination to the full Senate anyway?

[davidinalameda]

64. but if it goes to the full senate

he'll be approved

he's trying to have it both ways

he's going to cast a meaningless vote against him on the floor and not cast a real vote that would prevent this asswipe from becoming the next UN ambassador

[JDPriestly]

3. The battle begins.

We need to let every Senator that votes for Bolton know that he or she will be held accountable when this maniac embarrasses the country and alienates our allies.

[calimary]

13. Only problem is - what allies do we really have that AREN'T alienated

by now?

If you have a fire to put out, why on earth do you want to send out the guy with the leaky gasoline truck?

[saskatoon]

87. why on earth indeed!

If he pulls that same crap with other countries, he will be put in his place (hopefully)

[liberal N proud]

4. I told some this morning that it was all a stunt

Just to make sure they could twist some arms.

Voinovich was just the mule who spoke up so to protect the others who were on the fence.
Wish I was surprised.

[Purveyor]

5. Voinovich didn't say he would vote for Bolton

He said he wanted the Bolton nomination moved from committee "without recommendation".

For this to happen, the committee must have a "tie-vote" and Voinovich must vote against Bolton to cause that tie-vote.

[kainah]

54. not exactly

I seriously doubt that Lugar will make any motion now EXCEPT one to move the nomination to the floor WITHOUT recommendation. At least 10 will have to vote AYE for that to happen.

Since Lugar knows a motion to move recommendation favorably to the floor would fail on -- at least -- a tie vote, I don't see why Lugar would make that motion. He doesn't have to fail first before moving that he be sent to the floor without recommendation.

[WI_DEM]

7. what does he think his responsibility is on that committee?

to keep the full senate from considering someone not qualified!!

[Alizaryn]

8. Would not him voting No and forcing a tie

still allow it to go to the Senate BUT as unrecommended?

[Teaser]

9. Incorrect headline.

Voinovich is voting against Bolton in committee. But if a separate motion is raised to allow Bolton to go to the floor without recommendation, he will permit that to happen.

If you're going to post news, post accurate news.

[Alizaryn]

11. Thanks that is how I heard it too.

[Career Prole]

62. Beggin' yer pardon

but the headline used in my OP was the headline that was on the story when it first ran, which according to LBN rules is what we're to use as the subject line.

If the headline is subsequently changed by the Associated Press that's not my fault.
If it's brought to my attention that it has changed and it is still within the editing time constraints I'll be happy to change it.

As for your rather snippy recommendation "If you're going to post news, post accurate news", here's the Associated Press contact information...forward your objections on the accuracy of their reporting to them.

Thanks for your concern. :hi:

[uppityperson]

10. Doonesbury today, Trudeau not suprised

Bah for politicians

[ewagner]

12. So that was the compromise

Voinovich was threatened so he compromised. He'll vote to get Bolton to the floor without recommendation but vote against him on the floor.

I hope there are a few repubs who will join us and stop this SOB...

[Robbien]

53. There won't be any GOPers who will stop this

If you go to the Move America Forward site you will see their attack campaign on every GOPer who has not said they would vote for Bolton.

They keep running attack ads in the Senator's local media until the Senator caves.

[medeak]

14. listened to him live on tv

he gave a powerful scathing scathing review of Bolton. Mentioned that he just spent several days in Africa with State Dept employees and it sends a terrible message to these people to send Bolton to UN.

[Cha]

58. But then bush is All about

"terrible messages", n'est-ce pas?

[Purveyor]

16. Voinovich Says He Won't Back Bolton as U.S. Ambassador to UN

May 12 (Bloomberg) -- Republican Senator George Voinovich of Ohio said he won't support John Bolton's nomination to be U.S. ambassador the United Nations when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee votes today.

Voinovich's opposition would bar the panel's approval.

--snip--

Voinovich urged that Lugar send the nomination to the full Senate without recommendations. Republicans hold a 55-44 majority in the chamber with one independent.

Link to entire Bloomberg Article

[no_to_war_economy]

17. what a rick with a P

no spine, the brown shirts threatened his family for sure

[DemoVet]

18. Looks like Voinovich is going to spike Bolton!

Watching on CSPAN 3

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050512/pl_nm/bush_bolton_voinovich_dc

[wallwriter]

19. That would be great.

Even better if he could do it with something very pointy.

[doxieone]

20. CNN showing it too

[Roxy66]

22. MSNBC on it!!

[shayes51]

21. Watching on CNN now........

good for him!!

[finecraft]

23. I'm listening, and I can't believe it!

Go Voinovich!

[DemoVet]

24. Wonder what Hagel and Chaffee will say now?

[Freddie Stubbs]

47. Chafee has said that he will support Bolton

Chafee will defer to Bush, vote for Bolton for U.N. post

While the nominee "would not be my choice for a diplomatic position," Chafee says it's the president's decision to make.


01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, May 12, 2005


BY JOHN E. MULLIGAN
Journal Washington Bureau



WASHINGTON -- Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee expects to join today in a party-line vote by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to recommend Senate confirmation of John R. Bolton's nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

"He would not be my choice for a diplomatic position," said Chafee, one of a few committee Republicans whose reservations about the nomination have given Democrats hope of killing it in committee.

But Chafee said he believes that "the president gets to pick his people" unless there is a compelling reason -- such as "legal and ethical transgressions" -- to vote against a nominee to high office in the executive branch.

"I differ with the president on tax cuts, on the war, on clean air, on the budget" and other key issues, Chafee noted.

more: http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20050512_bolton12.2483e14.html

[dogday]

25. Good For Him

He knows the score....

[madhat]

26. well.....

hmm....,.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

33. He just pissed backward. Despite his grave reservations,

thinks Bolton is a terrible nominee, he is urging a straight up or down vote on the floor of Senate. WTF?

"I really don't believe he is the best man for the United Nations." but he still wants him to be voted on. I will never understand the "reasoning" of the repugs. Bad guy - let's vote!

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[pearl]

30. Not so Fast

He's going to vote for it to go to the floor anyway.

[dhuss]

28. Happy dance, Happy dance...

:bounce::bounce::bounce:
:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:


Wait, what was that about an up or down vote on the floor....

D.H.

[KennedyGuy]

29. Bull Sh*t...

hes going to vote to send it to the floor but encourages a no vote. What a load of crap.

[warrens]

34. I think sending it to the floor is a great idea

The Dems only have to get six nay votes, and it gives them a chance to really lambaste the creep. It should be entertaining. Even if the thug gets approved, he's mortally wounded. The rest of the U.N. will just laugh in his face. I love the over reaching.

Seriously, how much damage can this guy do? He's a cartoon.

[freedom_to_read]

55. agreed.

It will be fun to see the Bolton circus keep rolling and rolling.

[yellowcanine]

59. Well, he can do a lot of damage. But I agree. It will be entertaining.

Actually, from a political advantage standpoint, this is probably a gift to the Democrats, particularly if they can hold all of their members to a "NO" vote. If Bolton is confirmed, have it be only with Republican votes, and then just barely. That said, it is NOT a good thing for the country and that is why it should not have come out of committee. The criteria should be what is good for the country, not what is fair to George Bush.

[dissent1977]

61. Its Filibuster time

I for one can't wait. This is a case that just cries out for a filibuster, and I would be very surprised if the Democrats don't use it. While the GOP is talking about using the nuclear option to force a vote on Bolton, Larry Flynt's investigation should start gaining some attention. They talk about filibusters against people of faith, we will be talking about how the GOP wants us to have a diplomat that raped his wife by forcing her to have group sex. You think the nuclear option is unpopular now, you just wait until the public hears Bill Frist telling them that he wants to force a vote on a rapist. This is going to be so much fun.

[blm]

37. Voinovich ALWAYS pulls crap like that. He hedges for his own vote

knowing full well he doesn't want to be blamed for Bolton, but he manages to give Bush what he needs.

Noone plays that 51/49 game more than Voinovich because Ohio is really a more blue state than the voting machines show, and he knows it.

[OzarkDem]

48. Very typical of Voino

He never votes against his party unless he knows they'll win anyway. He does it to create the image of being "independent". In truth, he's one of the most virulently partisan members of the senate.

To get re-elected, he has to win support in largely Dem Cuyahoga County. He's been pulling this trick for years.

[chomskysright]

85. THANKS for fodder: here is my letter to Voinivich (2nd one today)

SMILE, SENATOR VOINOVICH: YOU'RE ON DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND.COM AND WE SEE THROUGH THE STRATEGY OF TODAY RE: HEDGING YOUR VOTE RE: Bolton and sending it to the full Senate AND IT DOESN'T CUT IT.

Sincerely,



Here's what we are working on and WE WILL REMEMBER YOUR LOOKING THE OTHER WAY RE: THE BOLTON VOTE:

"....Voinovich ALWAYS pulls crap like that. He hedges for his own vote ....

knowing full well he doesn't want to be blamed for Bolton, but he manages to give Bush what he needs.

Noone plays that 51/49 game more than Voinovich because Ohio is really a more blue state than the voting machines show, and he knows it."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1465793&mesg_id=1465694&page=

[GoldenOldie]

43. I agree that it's "bulls--t"

Once again this dictatorship is following the plan and will get exactly what it wants.

The mediawhores will proclaim George W. Bush as an extremely strong and decisive leader. The ignorant lemmings will boast of his bravery and intelligence in once again outwitting the "liberals."

I have just been so naive in thinking that Americans would never allow one group to gain this much power.

[tabasco]

92. Truly.

These republican senators are spineless slugs, in fear of little Prince Georgie and the Scowling Freak . I guess we can just eliminate the Senate since these cowards think everything is the fuhrer's decision.

[underpants]

31. "I really don't believe he is the best man we can send to the UN"

BAM!

[xultar]

32. Email him and thank him. He doesn't like calls. n/t

[OzarkDem]

50. Please don't

he doesn't deserve any credit for pulling his typical bait and switch game.

[xultar]

65. Agreed. That was pretty slimy but I gues all thugs are. n/t

[cal04]

35. Rawstory

GOP SENATOR BUCKING BOLTON... VOINOVICH MAY BLOCK NOMINATION

[chicagojoe]

36. Doesn't Voinovich go against the party line

on a semi-regular basis? I know he's not exactly a party hardliner.

[Guckert]

38. Sounds like he wants to send him anyway. after all that bile, send him???

i just don't get it???

[Zorra]

45. He's a republican. They are all corrupt, and they support each other's

corruption. When the chips are down, you can always count on a republican to do the sleaziest thing possible.

Never, ever trust a republican. Ever.

[Robbien]

51. He has been under attack for the last several weeks

Move America Forward spent tens of thousands of dollars airing radio ads throughout the state of Ohio on more than a dozen news/talk radio stations. The pressure tactic apparently worked.

"On Thursday, the day the ads began running, Voinovich's office phones were jammed with callers and computer e-mail in-baskets were clogged with messages related to the Bolton confirmation. It was no better Friday," Move America Forward said in an email message.

From the Move America Forward website.

[freethought]

39. Someone posted that Voinovich is voting "yes"! WTF!!

What is going on!

:wtf:

[harpo]

40. I sure hope he doesn't

[zbdent]

41. DON'T TRUST HIS ASS!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1776352

[SharonRB]

42. Stephanie Miller just cut into her show with it

I got so excited and then couldn't believe it when he said he still wants to send it to the floor.

[maddezmom]

44. AP link: Voinovich opposes Bolton but backs full Senate vote

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sen. George Voinovich (news, bio, voting record) said on Thursday although he opposed John Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, he would not stand in the way of the nomination being sent to the full Senate for a vote.


His opposition, expressed in a highly critical statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee considering Bolton's nomination, meant that Republicans lack the votes to send the nomination to the Senate floor with an endorsement.

Voinovich, an Ohio Republican, said he hoped the committee would vote to send the nomination to the floor without a recommendation.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050512/pl_nm/bush_bolton_voinovich_dc

[Julius Civitatus]

46. HE VOTED YES!

:puke:

[Daphne08]

49. "without a recommendation" is a very strong

message!

[OzarkDem]

52. Not really

Not when it comes to Republicans who vote in lockstep with Bush.

[Daphne08]

56. A crack is beginning in the Republican Party

I believe that with all my heart.

The old-style Republicans are beginning to see the effect of this NeoConservative Movement in relation to the rest of the world!

I stand by my statement that "without a recommendation" is a strong message!

[Nancy Waterman]

68. Does anyone know when the floor vote will be?

xx

[chomskysright]

86. LET'S mop the floor w/ them just as what happened to the Tories in Britain

....after the nauseating bilous Thatcher, Britains swore to throw them in the swamp and fill it full of alligators.

THEY NEED TO DROP INTO A BOTTOMLESS PIT WITH THATCHER AND HER KIND.

[wiggs]

66. No it's not. Votes are already counted.

This is the only way Voinovich can both save face and serve the president. He can speak his conscience, be guilt free, but he is also letting the vote go forward where he knows there will be votes to confirm. All the bastards win, including Voinovich.

If Voinovich thought that there was a chance that the senate would defeat Bolton's nomination and embarass the president, Voinovich would vote no and end the discussion.

They win, we lose.

[makhno]

70. Concise and to the point

Well put.

[Daphne08]

75. Then "without a recommendation" doesn't mean what it

used to mean!

I am too old for this crap.

This administration (this Neoconservative-backed administration) has divided this country in a way I have never seen in my 50-plus years on this earth!

The Nixon administration did it, but not like this one... and at least, we had an independent media back then which eventually exposed them, and that rid us of the parasites in power at that time.

If the Republican moderates don't have the backbone to think for themselves, then we are all lost! (Come to think of it, with the slimy means leading to the passage of Patriot, Patriot II and REAL-ID, we may be done for anyway since those three acts alone have eliminated most of our civil rights as Americans.)

Bolton will very likely spark another conflict somewhere, or at the very least, he will destroy the United Nations; but then, that just may the whole idea behind this contentious nomination.

[wiggs]

90. This nomination is symbolic of a lot of ills

We're talking about an administration that would have no problem alienating our friends (much less our enemies), that I believe has no interest in peace unless it is profitable, is not interesting in rebuilding Iraq, is interested in keeping Iraq desperate and under our boot just like dozens of other countries (read Confessions of Economic Hit Man), is willing to smear the UN when the UN does tremendous good deeds all over the planet, that has no problem lying and bullying, that is tied at the hip with global corporations, that has no interest in middle of the road or compromise, is willing to have it out militarily with anyone who opposes us, is willing to expand our economic interests at the expense of others....

Bolton is a perfect summary of what is wrong with this administration.

We are divided. But not along partisan lines, I'm afraid. Many dem leaders are complicit. It's us against those who want to concentrate wealth and power in the hands of fewer and fewer people globally.

[makhno]

67. Hahaha .. OMG .. ROFLMAO

This is exactly why I don't watch C-SPAN anymore. You listen to the heated political debates, witness the grandstanding and admire the elocution. You can't help but start believing in the system, democracy in action, debate, argument and dissent for the betterment of the Republic.

Then comes the vote and you realize you've just wasted several hours of your time and countless tax dollars on the political equivalent of a pro wrestling match.

[David__77]

69. Expected...

This is in line with their current line. "Dissension" is allowed, but acting upon it is not.

[Az_lefty]

72. What a spineless piece of shit!

You don't owe anything to the president, especially when he puts everyone on the spot with such an outrageous nomination.

[digno dave]

73. He voted for it before he will vote against it

nt

[ok_cpu]

74. I think it's all about this quote:

"We owe it to the president to give Mr. Bolton an up-or-down vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate," Voinovich said.

Just posturing for the next nominee who everyone may not like but will "deserve" an up-or-down vote...

I'm sure Sen. Voinovich doesn't want to be a dirty obstructionist.

:eyes:

[fryguy]

76. what an ass-bag

Why in the world vote him out of Committee if the guy is "the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should be"?

If these fucking GOP lackeys had any goddamn balls or a shred self respect and appreciation of the responsibility they have not to their party but to this country, they'd toss Bolton's name back at the White House and say - unequivocally - that they are providing their advice, as enumerated within the Constitution, that the president find and submit a qualified individual that is an exemplar of what the diplomatic corps should be!

[Jara sang]

77. Republican Senator Declines to Support Bolton

http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-05-12-voa42.cfm

A key Republican senator says he will not support John Bolton's nomination to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Addressing his colleagues on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday, Senator George Voinovich said he believes the United States can find someone better for the U.N. job than Mr. Bolton.

[Richardo]

78. ba-ZING!!! Thank you, George!

:bounce: :bounce:

Note: I know this will NOT prevent him from being approved by the Senate.

[jsw_81]

79. But...

He will vote him out of committee, which will probably mean that Bolton will be confirmed.

[tk2kewl]

80. there is saninty in ohio

[mike_c]

81. gee, look under damned nearly any rock...

...and we'll find better. Voinovich just couldn't hold his nose any longer, it seems. Good for him.

[David K.]

82. Bolton moves to full Senate without recommendation...Party line vote

Just as predicted by Voinovich speech. Some Republicans will not approve in full Senate, so could swing on Chaney vote on tie.

[sunnystarr]

83. If they just want to give Bush his nominee because

they think he should have the person of his choice then they aren't upholding the Constitution, serving their constituents or their country. They shouldn't be Senators. Why even waste the time and the money we pay them if they don't want to exercise the advise and consent duty of the Senate? As far as they're concerned a President should have whoever they want ... so they should just disband the committee and give their power to the Executive branch. Of course that's what it's all about anyways.

[chomskysright]

84. I wrote and told him I would PERSONALLY donate to his opposition...

come the next Senate Election though I am very far away.

fuck these people who cannot stand up for the good of the people.

The REPUBLICAN PARTY NEEDS TO DROP INTO A BOTTOMLESS PIT.

[WestMichRad]

88. What a fine republic we have

"Let's all hold our noses at this foul turd the administration has laid on our doorstep. But it's the Chimperor's privilege to do so, and we musn't upset his carefully blundered ..... er, selected - choices, therefore we must support him, because he hasn't been caught red handed committing any felonies." :puke:

Friends, it probably doesn't really matter - if this dolt were rejected or his nomination withdrawn, they'd find some equally slimy dirt bag to replace him. And our former allies overseas understand what fools they have to deal with - it's not the abrasive public face they will object to, as much as the shady spoiled brat attitude with which they already must tolerate.

My hope is that other countries delegations largely just get up and walk out of the meeting when the US speaks on issues - kinda like our Fristian hero today "debating" with Byrd on the Senate floor! After all, what this administration wants in "reform" of the UN is a rubber stamp for their predetermined policy. When they don't get that, they'll attempt to just throw a wrench in the UN's workings to sabotage its remaining effectiveness.

Peace.

[OETKB]

89. Human reslponse

The greatest suffering is humiliation and although we believe something is very wrong it is hard to stick our necks out if we are in danger of being ridiculed by our tribe. Mr. Voinovich is feeling the heat and is doing the best he can. Let's support hime.

[Rex]

91. Typical Repuke action; the guy sux, let's promote the fucker and give him

a bigger stick to swing! Piss off the world, piss off the world! Last dude to piss off the world was Hitler and things didn't go so well for him.

[Name removed]

93. Deleted message

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