Bolton Update .:. grubbykid.com

Bolton Update

Wow, after multiple failed cloture votes, the President's nomination for UN Ambassador John Bolton (history) looked like he was on the track to be the first Ambassador to take the position via a recess appointment, things are changing - quickly.

The ever vigilant Steve Clemens is reporting that the Bolton will not get a recess appointment, and that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist will bring up his nomination along with a "U.N. reform" package sometime next month. So either Bolton did not agree to a recess appointment (which would have effectively neutered his power) or the White House thinks that we all have "Bolton fatigue." If Bolton is not recessed appointed during the Fourth of July recess, it won't be because of some new-found reverence for tradition and respect for the Constitution by the Bush administration; rather, it would be based on ego: would Bolton allow for the embarrassment of a recess appointment?

Hopefully in a week we can applaud the administration for not unprecedentedly using the recess appointment for Bolton, hurting American diplomacy when it is sorely needed.

We agree with Steve that the White House is seriously miscalculating on fatigue factor; yes - the summer funnies will start soon, but there is a perfect storm brewing between Bolton, the Downing Street Memos, and the ongoing Plame invaestigation. Extending the clock only helps the opposition.

If Bolton will be scheduled for another vote, it would not be at least until the third week of July - and there are only three legislative weeks between now and the August recess (see schedule). During this period the Senate also has to take up the beginning of the budget process and any emergency appropriations which will undoubtedly occur. It will be a busy three weeks for the Senate.

Bolton Update

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