From the beginning, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has pushed for the passage. She wanted John R. Bolton to reign supreme at the United Nations. Secretary Rice has her reasons; she does not want Mr. Bolton to serve in the position that he covets, Deputy Secretary of State. In that post, he would be too close to her.
In her former position as National Security Advisor, Miss Rice experienced the rancor of John Bolton. She knows that she does not want an intimate working relationship with a man such as he. She acknowledges that others feel the same. Nonetheless, she is loyal to her President. She understands his position. Mr. Bolton helped the President get into office in 2000 and the Administration feels a need to return the favor. Rice can accept this. Yet, she wants to ensure that while John Bolton is repaid, and reimbursed well, it will not affect her directly.
Therefore, the Secretary of State does all that she can to ensure his appointment. She routinely calls Senators; she reassures them. Miss Rice is known to have said, “We think that we can control him. If he strays from the reservation, he's out.”
Secretary Rice has made promises. During the course of the Bolton, hearings Senator Joseph Biden [Democrat-Delaware], member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, requested the full Bolton record. Biden, said a full accounting of Bolton’s service is necessary; it will facilitate the approval process. Bolton once served as Under-Secretary of State, Arms Control and International Security. Therefore, the appeal was made to the State Department. Condoleezza Rice now heads this office.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice assured the senator, the Department would gladly provide the Bolton papers. Miss Rice promised to cooperate. She stated, "We have every desire to have the committee have the information that it needs.” Condie declared, the State Department will respond "as rapidly as possible.” Yet, they have not. They have not produced the documents requested. While Condie acknowledges her pledge, she asserts that she did not say when the documents would be delivered and so we wait. The Senate waits, the nation waits, and John Bolton’s appointment moves on, though slowly.
It is hindered. The Foreign Relations Committee sent the nomination on to the full Senate without a recommendation. Still the papers did not come. Miss Rice was and is not forthcoming. She offers no reasons for the delay.
The vote is again postponed. For now, we are standing still, some holding their breath. One wonders, will Secretary Rice get her way, will the President get his.
Ultimately, might Mr. Bush dare to do as he does? President Bush is authorized to appoint Mr. Bolton to the position of United Nations Representative temporarily. If appointed, Bolton would serve for one full year. The possibly is frightening, though a reality. Citizens and Senators alike ask, with a history of unilateral actions, will the President attack aggressively, this time striking at the Senate and the United Nations? Will we all feel the blows?
Please visit the thoughts of Steve Soto, The Left Coaster, Is Bush Forcing A Nuclear Option On Bolton?
Nico, at ThinkProgress.org shares an interesting perspective on the Bolton appointment.
Sen. Roberts: Bolton Recess Appointment Would ‘Weaken the United States’
The Bolton thug has built his support system over many years. He was in the leadership of the project for the new american century Thuging For World Domination Of Resources.
Posted by: Rolf | Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 02:05 PM