4.13.2005
Former State Dept. Official Blasts Bolton (WashingtonPost.com)
By Barry Schweid
The Associated Press
Tuesday, April 12, 2005; 3:30 PM
A former chief of the State Department's bureau of intelligence and research castigated John R. Bolton on Tuesday as a "kiss-up, kick-down sort of guy" who abused analysts who disagreed with him on Cuba. A Democrat said he "needs anger management."
But the pivotal Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, said he was "still inclined" to vote to confirm Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The Constitution gives President Bush considerable leeway to name ambassadors and "I see the bar as very high" for rejecting his choices, Chafee told reporters after the hearing was adjourned.
With Republicans in the majority, Bolton's nomination could clear the committee on Thursday or early next week and go to the Senate with the committee's approval. Bolton's greater vulnerability is at the committee level because Republicans outnumber Democrats there only 10-8. They have a safer margin of strength in the Senate.
(More ... Former State Dept. Official Blasts Bolton (washingtonpost.com)) ¶ 08:10
The Associated Press
Tuesday, April 12, 2005; 3:30 PM
A former chief of the State Department's bureau of intelligence and research castigated John R. Bolton on Tuesday as a "kiss-up, kick-down sort of guy" who abused analysts who disagreed with him on Cuba. A Democrat said he "needs anger management."
But the pivotal Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, said he was "still inclined" to vote to confirm Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The Constitution gives President Bush considerable leeway to name ambassadors and "I see the bar as very high" for rejecting his choices, Chafee told reporters after the hearing was adjourned.
With Republicans in the majority, Bolton's nomination could clear the committee on Thursday or early next week and go to the Senate with the committee's approval. Bolton's greater vulnerability is at the committee level because Republicans outnumber Democrats there only 10-8. They have a safer margin of strength in the Senate.
(More ... Former State Dept. Official Blasts Bolton (washingtonpost.com)) ¶ 08:10
