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shawa
CNO
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 2004
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 Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 4:20 am Post subject: Bush To Install Bolton at U.N. Through Recess Appointment |
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| Quote: | Bush To Install Bolton at U.N. Through Recess Appointment
BY WILLIAM DOUGLAS AND JAMES KUHNHENN
Knight Ridder Newspapers
Thu, Jul. 28, 2005
WASHINGTON - (KRT) - President Bush is expected to sidestep Congress and appoint John Bolton, his controversial choice for United Nations ambassador, to the job temporarily because opponents have blocked his confirmation by the Senate, several lawmakers and influential conservatives said Thursday.
Bush is poised to make the hawkish, tough-talking Bolton a recess appointment under a constitutional provision that allows the president to fill a vacancy during a Senate recess. Congress is expected to adjourn for August vacation Saturday or Sunday.
Administration officials wouldn't discuss Bush's intentions Thursday, but several senators and conservatives close to the White House think the president will tap Bolton shortly after Congress goes home.
Once Bush acts, Bolton can serve as ambassador until January 2007, when a new Congress is sworn in.
"I would anticipate an interim appointment," said Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., one of Bolton's main supporters on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "We have a conference on U.N. reform in September. The president is going to be speaking at that conference. We're going to need an ambassador. We're going to need John Bolton there."
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice seemed to be saying much the same thing in an interview Thursday on PBS' "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer."
While she avoided a direct answer when asked whether Bush would make Bolton a recess appointment, she emphasized that "what we can't be is without leadership at the United Nations. I can tell you, Jim, that I'm spending an awful lot of time these days preparing for the high-level meetings that are going to take place in September ... about refreshing the United Nations after 60 years. The United States needs to be active in that and ... we need our permanent representative to the United Nations."
Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., also thinks Bush will make Bolton his interim appointment, but he doesn't think it's a good idea.
"I suspect he will, but I do think it's a little bit of a thumbing of the nose at the Senate, which will cause you more problems down the road," Lott said. "We are a co-equal branch; he doesn't get to make his choices in a vacuum."
Bolton's nomination has been stalled for months by Senate Democrats - and a few Republicans - who consider him unsuitable for the United Nations because of his stinging criticism of it in the past. For example, he told a conference in 1994 that if you lopped off 10 stories from the 38-story U.N. Secretariat Building "it wouldn't make a bit of difference."
Democrats also have charged that Bolton, as undersecretary of state for arms control, mistreated subordinates and tried to manipulate intelligence.
In May, a divided Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 10-8 to forward Bolton's nomination without recommendation, an unusual move, but one that got the nomination to the Senate floor.
Senate Republican leaders failed twice - May 26 and June 20 - to muster the 60 votes needed to end debate under the 100-member chamber's rules and move to an up-or-down vote on his nomination.
Sens. Joseph Biden, D-Del., and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., added another wrinkle this week, sending a letter to Rice seeking to verify whether Bolton had testified before a grand jury or had been interviewed by a special prosecutor who's investigating who leaked the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame.
In written Senate testimony, Bolton indicated that he hadn't testified or provided information to any grand juries.
"We need to know if Bolton was truthful to the committee in this area," Boxer said Wednesday. "We are looking at his questionnaire again. ... If you're not honest here, you've got a problem."
A spokesman for Biden, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said the senator didn't receive a response from Rice on Thursday.
"I think he needs to" make the recess appointment, said David Keene, the chairman of the American Conservative Union, the nation's oldest conservative lobbying organization. "It's very difficult to get the Senate to move and their plate is full with the Supreme Court (nomination) coming up, which crowds everything else."
If Bush doesn't make the appointment, it will embolden Democrats and weaken the president with his conservative base, which views Bolton as the kind of tough-love remedy that U.S. foreign policy needs, Keene said.
"We would raise hell. It wouldn't be the first time," he said. "You do it privately and publicly. Bolton has become a negative symbol for the John Kerrys and Barbara Boxers and a positive to conservatives."
But Democrats and a few Republicans think Bolton would be damaged goods if he arrived at the United Nations via the recess route.
"I think we're dealing with trouble having a recess-appointment U.N. ambassador," said Leon Panetta, the White House chief of staff under President Clinton, who made more than 56 recess appointments during his two terms. "To have someone who doesn't even enjoy the confidence of the U.S. Senate is not going to instill confidence or lend credibility."
Lott said Bolton would be "weakened and temporary."
"He could serve what, 17 months, unless he was subsequently confirmed, which I don't see any chance of," Lott said.
Keene disagrees, saying what Bolton does is more important than how he gets there.
"He's still the same person, representing the same president, doing the same job," Keene said. |
www.myrtlebeachonline.com
_________________
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” (Thomas Paine, 1776) |
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shawa
CNO
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 2004
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| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 5:04 am Post subject: |
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My,my. These senators are so full of themselves, it makes me sick!
Like the WHOLE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND THE UNITED STATES SENATE!
| Quote: | | "To have someone who doesn't even enjoy the confidence of the U.S. Senate is not going to instill confidence or lend credibility." |
No Mr Panetta, Bolton's credibility to the rest of the world does not come from the confidence of the U.S. Senators. It's the fact that he has the confidence of THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES that makes Bolton credible to all foreign governments!!!
And Trent Lott totally tees me off!!
| Quote: | Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., also thinks Bush will make Bolton his interim appointment, but he doesn't think it's a good idea.
"I suspect he will, but I do think it's a little bit of a thumbing of the nose at the Senate, which will cause you more problems down the road," Lott said. "We are a co-equal branch; he doesn't get to make his choices in a vacuum." |
He is the biggest DUNDERHEAD in the Senate. Big mouth, no brain!!
The President has every right to 'thumb his nose' at the almighty Senate.
After months of debate, no up-or-down vote! The erudite senators DECIDED NOT TO DECIDE.
TALK ABOUT A VACUUM!!
Just do it, Mr. President. John Bolton will serve you well.
_________________
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” (Thomas Paine, 1776) |
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Navy_Navy_Navy
Admin
Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 5777
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| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 5:08 am Post subject: |
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| shawa wrote: | | It's the fact that he has the confidence of THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES that makes Bolton credible to all foreign governments!!! |
And to the reasonable majority of citizens in the United States, as well.
WTH is up with Lott? Good grief, how can he be clueless? This isn't JFK's Democratic Party any more, Senator!
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother |
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PhantomSgt
Vice Admiral
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
Posts: 972
Location: GUAM, USA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:52 am Post subject: |
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They had a chance to give Bolton an up or down vote and blew it. The President has the Constitutional right to make the recess appointment to the chagrin of the Senate Obstructionists.
Carry On Mr. President we are behind you.
_________________
Retired AF E-8
Independent that leans right of center. |
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shawa
CNO
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 2004
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| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 11:17 am Post subject: |
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Oh sheeit!!
From the above article:
| Quote: | Sens. Joseph Biden, D-Del., and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., added another wrinkle this week, sending a letter to Rice seeking to verify whether Bolton had testified before a grand jury or had been interviewed by a special prosecutor who's investigating who leaked the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame.
In written Senate testimony, Bolton indicated that he hadn't testified or provided information to any grand juries.
"We need to know if Bolton was truthful to the committee in this area," Boxer said Wednesday. "We are looking at his questionnaire again. ... If you're not honest here, you've got a problem." |
I then read that the State Department issued a statement that Bolton was truthful in his answer on the questionaire:
| Quote: | State Dept. says Bolton truthful to Senate panel
Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:24 PM ET
By Vicki Allen
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The State Department on Thursday said U.N. ambassador nominee John Bolton told Congress the truth when he said he did not testify in the investigation of the leak of the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Bolton's answer in March to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was "truthful then and it remains the case now."
A spokesman for Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, the committee's top Democrat, said McCormack's statements did not resolve all of the questions. He said Biden was waiting for a written response from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Cont'd at REUTERS 7/28/05 |
Then Fox news reports:
| Quote: | Bolton Inaccurately Filled Out Senate Panel Questionnaire
Friday, July 29, 2005
WASHINGTON — While John Bolton (search) has enjoyed renewed scrutiny because of an alleged tie to the leak of a CIA officer's name, the State Department acknowledged Thursday night that President Bush's pick to be ambassador to the United Nations did inaccurately state his role in another probe.
A spokesman said that Bolton had in fact been questioned by the State Department inspector general, contrary to his response in a questionnaire filled out for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (search) during the confirmation process.
"Mr. Bolton was not interviewed as part of the [CIA leak] investigation. When Mr. Bolton completed the forms during the confirmation process, he did not recall being interviewed by the State Department's inspector general. Therefore his form as submitted was inaccurate. He will correct it," State Department spokesman Noel Clay said.
Just hours earlier, the State Department said Bolton had filled out the questionnaire truthfully and accurately.
"Mr. Bolton, as part of the nomination process, supplied an answer to the question that asked whether or not a nominee as been interviewed or asked to supply any information in connection with any administrative, including an inspector general congressional or grand jury investigation, within the past five years, except routine congressional testimony," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.
"Mr. Bolton, in his response on the written paperwork, was to say 'no.' And that answer is truthful then and... |
Cont'd at FOX NEWS
Is this all another MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL, or could it kill Bolton's appointment???
_________________
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” (Thomas Paine, 1776) |
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GM Strong
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Posts: 1579
Location: Penna
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| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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Trent Lott is a Linguini Spined Cheerleader, not a leader, and never was. This is the guy who gave the Libs shared power when he was supposed to be leading the Senate and they shoved it up his Arse. Lott hasn't learned that the Libs don't like him and thumbing your nose at them is way overdue.
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8th Army Korea 68-69 |
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coldwarvet
Admiral
Joined: 03 Jun 2004
Posts: 1125
Location: Minnetonka, MN
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| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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Bush will look like a wimp if he does not make the appointment. The opposition will continue to obstruct no matter what he does.
I do not see a downside to this move.
CWV
_________________
Defender of the honor of those in harms way keeping us out of harms way.
"Peace is our Profession"
Strategic Air Command - Motto
USAF 75-79 Security Police
Last edited by coldwarvet on Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:14 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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GM Strong
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Posts: 1579
Location: Penna
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| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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Defiance in the face of these obstructionists has no downside. It shows cajones and sends the opposition a message.
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8th Army Korea 68-69 |
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