Panel Sends Bolton Nomination to Senate (with out recommendation)

[sabra]

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

Panel Sends Bolton Nomination to Senate

WASHINGTON - A divided Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday sent the nomination of John Bolton to be United Nations ambassador to the full Senate for an up-or-down vote. But it took the rare step of withholding any recommendation of its own.

The move kept the contentious nomination alive, leaving its fate in the hands of the GOP-run Senate. But the withholding of a committee endorsement was a slap at the president in one of the first big battles of his second term.

The panel acted after a critical Republican member, Sen. George Voinovich (news, bio, voting record), voiced opposition to the nomination, calling Bolton arrogant and bullying. But Voinovich broke an committee impasse by agreeing to let the full Senate vote rather than joining Democrats in a committee vote to block the nomination.

All 10 Republicans voted to send the nomination to the floor and all eight Democrats voted no.

Democrats vowed to try to defeat or block the nomination on the floor.

<</SNIP>>

[Mr.Green93]

1. with out recommendation

Does that mean it can be stopped on the floor?

[sabra]

2. yes

Kerry also warned about this happening, saying it could get uglier there...

[tritsofme]

3. It doesn't mean much

It still goes to floor.

IIRC Clarence Thomas was approved by the Judiciary Committee without recommendation.

The only way to stop it is with a filibuster.

[warrens]

12. It gives the dems time

They can delay the vote and investigate all they want, I think. Forcing your wife to have sex with strangers is a pretty odd thing to do. Should be fun if someone brings that up on the floor. Just imagine the look on those hypocritical smug thug faces...

[lancdem]

14. And we all know how wonderful a SC justice

Mr. Thomas has been. :eyes:

Frankly, this is about the best we could hope for. The WH is good at twisting arms; their threats are not easily ignored.

[UCLA Dem]

15. I wonder if they will filibuster. they definitely have ammunition to now.

[Benhurst]

5. Probably not. Let's face it, Dubya chose well. Bolton will

represent the Bush Crime Family's government perfectly.

[David K.]

6. Wait and see...

Some Republicans will not approve in full Senate, so could swing on Chaney vote on tie.

[dissent1977]

11. It is time to Filibuster

The Democrats better filibuster this unless they are absolutely certain they have the votes to defeat this creep. Imagine a filibuster on Bolton right as Larry Flynt's story starts to receive more attention. The GOP will be talking about the nuclear option and the "filibuster against people of faith", we will be talking about how Bolton is a rapist who forced his wife to engage in group sex. People will be asking what standards the religious right has in choosing who is a "person of faith" and who isn't. You think the nuclear option is unpopular now, wait until the GOP is trying to push through the nuclear option in order to get a rapist as our diplomat. This will be interesting.:popcorn:

[Tektonik]

4. Voinovich almost made it 9-9

However he said he was not arrogant enough to do so :/

[spooky3]

18. what's arrogant is his implying that anyone should be criticized

as "arrogant" for simply doing their jobs as responsible committee members.

However, he didn't have to give his damning speech of Bolton, so I will give him credit for doing that part right. He could have been more namby pamby about that.

[AuntiBush]

23. Yet Voinovich cited BOLTON as ARROGANT

Honestly, I never seen anything like this. They must all having crap in their closets... blackmailing? I mean... disgusting.

I literally give-up. The Religious Fundie Wacko Idiots and NeoCons not only stole their way in twice, but w/each passing day their derailing us! It's not America any longer, it's the stinkin Homeland.

:puke:

[Proud liberal Kat]

7. Chafee's staffer tried to spin it to me...

Said there wasn't a vote that it was sent without recommendation so it wasn't an actual vote. I asked what all the Republicans saying Aye meant and all the Democrats saying No meant if it wasn't a vote, he just kept saying there wasn't a vote ma'am. Anyways I told him whatever there was a vote and I as a constituent of Chafee's was extremely disappointed and regretted my previous defenses of Chafee to others due to my belief he would vote his conscience and not the party line.

I said it was not likely I would vote for Chafee again and it was guaranteed I would not if he voted to confirm Bolton on the Senate floor.
Kathy

[medeak]

8. hopefully msm will cover the group sex thing beforehand n/t

[outrage]

10. This should be extremely interesting....

and I hope it gets damn ugly. Man, I'm so sick of this criminal misadministration I could scream.

[lancdem]

16. I'll scream with you

:)

[kath]

20. yeah, right. Around the same time I see porcines flying past my window.

[liberal N proud]

48. Yeah and hell has frozen over too

They will play the whore role and proclaim that the Democrats are playing partisan politics and blocking bu$h's nominations.
They will lie about it and say they never blocked any presidents nominations blah, blah, blah

No offense but I would not count on any thing negative about Bolton on CNN.

[paineinthearse]

9. I never thought I'd say this but,

Thank you Senator Voinovich.

Imagine what the freepers are saying!

p.s. Thanks admins for posting this on the HOME page before it even got to "greatest" page.

[UCLA Dem]

13. Voinovich is a spinless POS.

Excuse me while I :puke:

[wiggs]

42. My sentiments as well...and go Bruins. nt

[Ranec]

17. Do we know when the vote in the Senate will be?

Does it get scheduled for debate immediately, or is there a further wait while Frist blows up the Senate?

I hoping for some pointed discussion, and more revelations....

[muchacho]

19. hypocrisy

watching these weasels rail on the UN for "propping up dictators."

it's a shame hypocrisy in a public office doesn't result in instant death.

[erpowers]

21. Voinovich's Decision

I am upset about the way Voinovich displayed his opinion. If you do not like the guy attitude, opinions, and the way he works vote against him don't just say bad things about the guy. The mean things Voinovich said about Bolton mean nothing and will do nothing and mean nothing when and if he is confirmed by the Senate.

[Joey Liberal]

22. Bolton is a Nazi n/t

[Pirate Smile]

24. A Defection on the GOP Side (Bolton)

A Defection on the GOP Side

By Dana Milbank

Friday, May 13, 2005; Page A08

Senators on the Foreign Relations Committee heard yesterday that President Bush's choice to be ambassador to the United Nations was "arrogant" and "bullying." They heard that he "would have been fired had he worked for a major corporation." They heard that his confirmation "would send a contradictory and negative message to the world" and that "the United States can do better than John Bolton."

It sounded like more of the partisan attacks on Bolton that Democrats have delivered for the past two months -- except this time, the accuser was a fellow Republican, Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio.

-snip-
It was, perhaps, not the ideal slogan for confirmation: Bolton -- not a criminal. Only four days earlier, Lugar predicted that Bolton would be endorsed by the committee on a party-line vote. Yesterday, he was reduced to urging colleagues not to "reject Secretary Bolton without even granting him a vote on the Senate floor."

The difference, of course, was Voinovich, who challenged Bush and GOP leaders in a way few of his colleagues have dared. "What message are we sending to the world community?" he asked about Bolton. Though he said that "all things being equal" he would support a presidential nominee, "all things are not equal." Responding to a main White House argument, he added: "To those who say a vote against John Bolton is against reform of the U.N., I say, 'Nonsense.' " Lugar held a thin smile while Voinovich talked. Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.), who took a political risk by backing Bolton, stared at his water glass and looked as if he were about to cry. Bolton defender Norm Coleman (R-Minn) fidgeted in his chair; Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), another Bolton fan, smirked.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/12/AR2005051201558.html

The Republicans sound like the Dwarfs from Snow White - Allen is smirky; Chafee is weepy; Colman is squirmy. What should Lugar be called?

[evlbstrd]

25. Scummy.

[Catt03]

26. smirky

[evlbstrd]

29. That's Allen.

[arikara]

33. That's chimpy himself

the Smirking Chimp.

[usregimechange]

27. Lugar is slimey

[Merlot]

28. What should Lugar be called?

With a name like Lugar you have to ask?

[evlbstrd]

30. Loogie!

[xray s]

31. Dick Luger

A penis and a German handgun in one body.

[dweller]

32. Lugar = loser ... n/t

dp

[AlCzervik]

34. you know Lugar has not sense of pride at all, when the run to

the war was going on Bushco ingnored Lugar's advice, he was not big proponent of this war but of course he went along with the get along. He was treated like shit but he still toes the line, really pathetic.

[lakeguy]

35. i'm ashamed that coleman is MN senator!

he's the Amerikan poodle.

[cyr330]

41. Chafee is a cunt

Excuse my vulgar talk, but as they say, when the shoe fits. . . .


Chafee's constituents in Rhode Island are predominately Democratic, so he is not doing himself any favors NOR is he carrying out the wishes of Rhode Island voters by endorsing that fat asshole.

Chafee is in the pocket of big business, and when people tell me he's "moderate" I just laugh. He's an enabler, and he's just as guilty as the worst Bush supporter, because he helps them obtain their goddamned goals. Fuck him.

[dchill]

43. What should Lugar be called?

Flunky

[Pirate Smile]

51. I like that. It fits well.

[Lautremont]

36. Bush suffers blow on choice of U.N. envoy

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/05/12/bolton050512.html

No Boltman.

[calimary]

37. I like this part:

"The committee's refusal to endorse Bolton is seen as an embarrassment to Bush just six months into his second term."

If only. This is not our domestic media talking. I would hope that at least some people here would view it that way, however. PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING.

[Sub Atomic]

39. Oh, no, the headlines tomorrow are going to read:

OBSTRUCTIONIST DEMOCRATS BLOCK PRESIDENT BUSH'S UN PICK

[havocmom]

38. No Senate foreign relations committee endorsement of him

but it still goes to the Senate for a vote.

Couple more subtle reminders of their mortality like yesterday's buzzing
and evacuation of the Capital should whip everybody into line to do the junta's bidding like the good little cowards they are.

Bolton is not out yet. Keep calling and nagging Senators.

[wiggs]

44. No. Bush gets victory.

Everybody hates his choice. Bush doesn't care. Bad press doesn't matter. The last 5 years have been bad. The table is being set for worse.

I'm tired of victories in principle. We were supposed to be happy that a few congresspersons objected to cerfication of Ohio's electoral votes because it supposedly sent a message and it was a rare event. Didn't really matter now did it? Are we talking about it now? Anything change? Exactly what was the message we sent again?

Now we are supposed to be pleased somehow that Bolton is going to be confirmed but...oooohhh: without committee approval first. This is not an achievement or a victory, nor is it going to matter in the long run. Bolton will do his dirty work at the UN...that's the important thing. They win, we lose. There is no lasting message sent just because confirmation is happening this way...Lugar got it done as he needed to.

Unless Bolton is tied to fixing intelligence or something illegal, he's in. Bad choice for the world, including the American public. Good choice for neocons, defense industry, and empire (same things).

Bolton personifies this administration beautifully. We got him and many more like him back in November.

[lonestarnot]

40. Fiiiiiil lllllliiiiii bbbbbbb uuuuuu ssssssss tttt er!

[0rganism]

45. Which "Democrats" will join with the repukes to confirm Bolton?

The upcoming vote will be very revealing.

[Jandar]

46. I'm sure there will be just enough Dem votes...

to allow "moderate" republican's to vote against Bolton, but still assure confirmation. The only unanimous party line vote I've seen from the Dem's was the Iraq funding/Real ID.

[ClintonTyree]

47. Well, Lieberman for sure.....

he just LOVES kissing bush's ass. You can count on Holy Joe to break ranks and support the Slugs, AGAIN! :grr:

[Algorem]

49. Democrats plan to play for time in trying to block Bolton nomination

5/13/2005, 2:24 a.m. ET
By BARRY SCHWEID
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush's nomination of John R. Bolton to be U.N. ambassador has been shaken again by a Republican senator's surprise opposition to the embattled nominee, and Democrats hope to seize the opportunity and defeat him in the Senate.

At a minimum, they will play for delay, make the White House squirm and renew accusations that Bolton was overly aggressive as the State Department's top arms-control official, pushing his views and trying to damage the careers of officials who disagreed with him.

The leader of the fight against Bolton, Sen. Joseph R. Biden of Delaware, suggested Bush "would be better served by bringing the nomination down."

"It does not appear that Mr. Bolton has the confidence of a majority of the members of the Senate," Biden said...

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1115964669233080.xml&storylist=cleveland

Bio Box Bolton
5/13/2005, 2:24 a.m. ET
The Associated Press

(AP) — NAME — John R. Bolton

AGE — 56; born Nov. 20, 1948, in Baltimore.

EDUCATION — B.A., Yale University, 1970; J.D., Yale Law School, 1974.

EXPERIENCE — Undersecretary of state for arms control and international security since May 11, 2001; senior vice president, American Enterprise Institute, 1997-2001; adjunct professor, George Mason University Law School, 1994-2001; partner in the law firm of Lerner, Reed, Bolton & McManus, Washington, 1993-99; assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs, 1989-93; assistant attorney general, Justice Department, 1985-89; partner at the law firm of Covington & Burling, Washington, 1983-85; assistant administrator for program and policy coordination, U.S. Agency for International Development, 1982-83; general counsel, AID, 1981-82; associate at Covington & Burling, 1974-81.

FAMILY — Married to the former Gretchen Brainerd; one daughter.

[Algorem]

50. Cincinnati Enquirer editorial-Bush can do better than Bolton for U.N.

Friday, May 13, 2005
Bush can do better than Bolton for U.N.
Editorials

A divided Senate Foreign Relations Committee did the right thing on two counts in sending the nomination of John Bolton to be U.N. ambassador to a vote by the full Senate.

This embattled nomination is too important to be decided in committee. The Senate panel also took the extraordinary step of withholding its recommendation - a silence that should not be lost on either the rest of the Senate or President Bush.

Ohio's Sen. George Voinovich was the pivotal committee member on both actions. "The United States can do better than John Bolton," Voinovich, a Republican, told his fellow committee members during Thursday's five-hour debate.

Voinovich said he would vote no on the Senate floor, and his opposition in committee effectively blocked any attempt to send the nomination ahead with a recommendation to approve...

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050513/EDIT01/505130375/1020/edit

[gtar100]

52. These republicans are chicken-hearts

A whole bunch of noise and no bite.