Powell playing quiet role in Bolton fight

[liberal N proud]

GOP senators sought his views on U.N. nominee

Former secretary of state Colin L. Powell is emerging as a behind-the-scenes player in the battle over John R. Bolton's nomination as ambassador to the United Nations, privately telling at least two key Republican lawmaker that Bolton is a smart but very problematic government official, according to Republican sources.

Powell spoke in recent days with Sens. Lincoln D. Chafee (R.I.) and Chuck Hagel (Neb.), two of three GOP senators on the Foreign Relations Committee who have raised concerns about Bolton's confirmation, the sources said. Powell did not advise the senators to oppose Bolton, but offered a frank assessment of the nominee as a man who was challenging to work with on personnel and policy matters, according to two people familiar with the conversations.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7593040/

[Jacobin]

1. "Bolton would be an 'abysmal ambassador';."

Quoth the Powell, never more.

heh heh heh


More snips:

Those who know Powell best said two recent events provide insight into his thinking. Powell did not sign a letter from seven other former U.S. secretaries of state or defense supporting Bolton, and his former chief of staff, Lawrence B. Wilkerson, recently told the New York Times that Bolton would be an "abysmal ambassador."

"On two occasions, he has let it be known that the Bolton nomination is a bad one, to put it mildly," a Democratic congressional aide said. "It would be great to have Powell on the record speaking for himself, but he's unlikely to do it."

Put the popcorn in the microwave!!

:bounce:

[MaineDem]

2. A "quiet" role?

This sounds pretty major to me.

This SHOULD put the lid on the coffin of Bolton's nomination, in my opinion.

Edited for grammar and typos.