5.15.2005
Boxer's Hold Another Hitch in Bolton Vote (SFGate.com)
Senator seeks access to papers, calls White House uncooperative
Edward Epstein
Chronicle Washington Bureau
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Washington -- Sen. Barbara Boxer of California has erected a roadblock against John Bolton, President Bush's embattled nominee for U.N. ambassador, in a fight with the administration over access to documents.
Boxer said Friday she would lift her hold on the nomination if the administration provided the additional information she was seeking. Boxer took her action to slow Bolton's nomination after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday sent Bolton's name to the full Senate without a recommendation.
The move by Boxer is the latest twist in a nomination battle that has become increasingly bitter. Democrats say Bolton -- a State Department official who has long been an outspoken critic of the United Nations -- is arrogant and undiplomatic and has tried to force intelligence analysts to twist their findings to suit his preconceived conclusions. Republican supporters say Bolton is just what the United States needs at the U.N., a diplomat who will force changes in an organization hamstrung by waste, corruption and an inability to take decisive action.
"I said at the committee meeting that I was going to do everything I could to get the information I've asked for, and I did,'' Boxer said Friday in an interview. "It's a way to bring attention to this matter.''
Boxer's move, which the Republican Senate majority could overturn by getting 51 votes in favor of a motion to proceed despite her hold, could further raise the partisan temperature in a body already fighting over Republican efforts to curb the Democratic minority's power to filibuster Bush's judicial nominees.
(More ... Boxer's hold another hitch in Bolton vote / Senator seeks access to papers, calls White House uncooperative) ¶ 16:44
Edward Epstein
Chronicle Washington Bureau
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Washington -- Sen. Barbara Boxer of California has erected a roadblock against John Bolton, President Bush's embattled nominee for U.N. ambassador, in a fight with the administration over access to documents.
Boxer said Friday she would lift her hold on the nomination if the administration provided the additional information she was seeking. Boxer took her action to slow Bolton's nomination after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday sent Bolton's name to the full Senate without a recommendation.
The move by Boxer is the latest twist in a nomination battle that has become increasingly bitter. Democrats say Bolton -- a State Department official who has long been an outspoken critic of the United Nations -- is arrogant and undiplomatic and has tried to force intelligence analysts to twist their findings to suit his preconceived conclusions. Republican supporters say Bolton is just what the United States needs at the U.N., a diplomat who will force changes in an organization hamstrung by waste, corruption and an inability to take decisive action.
"I said at the committee meeting that I was going to do everything I could to get the information I've asked for, and I did,'' Boxer said Friday in an interview. "It's a way to bring attention to this matter.''
Boxer's move, which the Republican Senate majority could overturn by getting 51 votes in favor of a motion to proceed despite her hold, could further raise the partisan temperature in a body already fighting over Republican efforts to curb the Democratic minority's power to filibuster Bush's judicial nominees.
(More ... Boxer's hold another hitch in Bolton vote / Senator seeks access to papers, calls White House uncooperative) ¶ 16:44
