Key Democrats say likely can't block Bolton (huh?)

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=8698631

Key Democrats say likely can't block Bolton


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democrats said on Sunday their party likely will not be able to block John Bolton's nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations but want more information before agreeing to a vote.
The Senate returns this week from recess and again will face the contested nomination, which has twice been delayed by Democratic concerns about Bolton, the top U.S. diplomat for arms control they say has a record of abusive, erratic behavior that should disqualify him for the sensitive diplomatic job.

Asked if Democrats would have enough votes to sustain a filibuster, a procedural hurdle used to block action and thereby block the confirmation vote, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, the top Democrat on the panel, said, "I'm going to be completely straight with you. I'm not at all certain we do."

Sixty votes are needed to end debate and go to a final vote in the full Senate, which Republicans control 55-45.

"(Bush) will probably be able to win the vote somewhere between 45 and 47 votes against and he'll think it's a victory," Biden told ABC's "This Week" program.

<</SNIP>>

[ElectroPrincess]

1. If there were anytime that a filibuster was needed it is NOW!

Having Bolton as our top diplomat would be horrific for all concerned. Make Frist go nuclear, and let the chips fall where they may. But for Heaven's sake, take a stand on this one.

[Massacure]

20. Frist cannot go nuclear. It only applies to judges.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Well, could it be because DINOs like Biden

and Nelson and Landrieu are probably going to roll over and bare their soft white bellies to the Republicans, as usual?

[LiberalFighter]

7. Biden does a lot of rolling over (very easy when he doesn't have a spine)

[Goldeneye]

9. Biden and Dodd are the two who prevented

the vote on Bolton before. I'm not fond of Biden, but in this case I think we should cut him some slack...he did what he could.

"In a last-ditch effort, two Democratic senators, Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, had worked Thursday to round up the 41 votes needed to stop Bolton's nomination."

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/printer_052605W.shtml

[SoCalDem]

13. It's all "huff and puff"..for show. Bolton WILL be confirmed

and there will be as many excuses as there are Dem votes FOR him:(

One can only hope (yet again) that the "furriners" can make his life a living hell once he gets there..

[anarchy1999]

15. SoCalDem, I've meant to tell you, I love your new sig line and on another

note, I completely agree with you on this issue. Heck, I always agree with just about anything and everything you have to say!

:hug:

[SoCalDem]

16. Aren't you a sweetheart

:loveya:

I actually made this graphic a year ago, and recycle it now and then.,. Thanks again:) We are kindred spirits:)

[Itsthetruth]

11. You Forgot To Include Mr. Compromise, Senator Harry Reid

The "leader" of Senate Democrats. But, some people just love him .... of course all they have to do is ignore Senator Reid's votes in support of Bush's legislative agenda and appointments.

[iwantmycountryback]

24. Yeah, I guess Reid fighting tooth and nail against the nuclear option

Just shows how willing he is to roll over. I don't even understand how people cannot like what he has done as the leader, it is literally beyond my comprehension. His rhetoric is a lot like Howard Dean's, whether you like it or not.

[Itsthetruth]

34. The Proper Word To Describe What Reid Did Is Surrender

eom

[0007]

3. How can any man with any dignity and or respect for humanity

vote for that fucking creep Bolton. And we call this a Democracy?

I call it a sham and a black day for politicians. And another feather in the cap of organized crime.

[LeahD]

4. Biden makes my head spin.

One minute he roars, and the next he whimpers.

[confludemocrat]

25. Biden makes my skin crawl

Way to go, Biden. Out with a whimper as could be expected from you, worthless bastard.

[Benhurst]

5. I'm opposed to Bolton; but unfortunately he represents what

this nation has become all too well.

[madrchsod]

6. i want him there

i want bolton to run up and down the halls of the un kicking in doors,i want him screaming at everyone who disagrees with him,and i want him to alienate the united states from the world that even the america press will start to take notice that the usa is no longer the big kid on the block...well everyone but fox and their half million watchers...

[LiberalFighter]

8. We can only hope that the media reports

[pie]

10. I guess you are right

In this singular case, perhaps the
most outrageous undisciplined ranting asshole is best.

[MessiahRp]

18. I think the Republicans are mentally incompetent.

Even McCain keeps saying, "We need a tough guy there and Bolton seems to be a tough guy". So what they want is a physical bully.

Bolton does fine chasing women and interns around and physically threatening them but if he were doing that to say... me, I would whoop his ass. I'm willing to bet Bolton wouldn't be that tough against men who wouldn't take his shit.

So say he thinks he can bully around members of the UN, let's just hope that the other countries send up some strong, tough guys of their own to beat Yosemite Sam's ass and teach the right wing the lesson that bullying doesn't get a damn thing accomplished and that there will always be a bigger bully than you.

Rp

[Rowdyboy]

23. Thank God somebody gets it! Let Bush have Bolton....Let him act an ass

on the international stage and show the world yet again what a fool Bush is. Lets see the man humiliated and snubbed by the world.

[dsc]

12. No where does Biden say he thinks this is a good thing

but he is giving a realistic answer. Nearly every Democrat would have to vote to sustain a filibuster and probably none of the gang of 7 would vote to do so. That means we lose. Biden isn't a God and he doesn't have a literal whip.

[anarchy1999]

14. Bolton's confirmation is going to be a very sad day for the WORLD!

And I guess I have to agree with another poster, look for the silver lining. Bolton's confirmation will be a death knoll for the US in the World Court.

[IndianaGreen]

17. We can continue to attack Bolton if he gets to the UN

I certainly plan to fax and write to key foreign delegations in the Security Council, bad mouthing and undermining whatever position Bolton takes on any topic. In the old days such private citizen interference would have been called treason, but today the real traitors are those that conspired with Bush to kill the American Republic to create a Holy American Empire.

Down with Bolton! Down with Bush! Death to the Empire! Long Live the Republic!

[anarchy1999]

22. Thanks for telling it like it is!

"Down with Bolton! Down with Bush! Death to the Empire! Long Live the Republic!"

It's nice to know that we'll have lots of friends in the "camps".

[MzShellG]

26. With Bolton in the UN

The World court will probably be dissolved and the UN will become irrelevant & powerless. US foreign and economic policy and agendas would probably sail through unilaterally.

[grytpype]

19. He's just saying the Repugs are going to vote for Bolton.

Which is true (Voinovich excepted).

But let's hope they keep defeating the cloture motions until the White House produces the documents they want. Because there is no need to cave in and let Bush put a shaved gorilla in the UN without seeing all those juicy documents.

[splat@14]

21. It isn't that important, let the bastard in.

[Matilda]

28. It's very important.

I don't doubt that Bolton's real mission will be to bully the UN
into rubber-stamping whatever Bushco want to do, so the next illegal
and immoral invasion will have the backing of the UN Security
Council. There is no other reason for putting such a person into
that job.

[splat@14]

30. Maybe, you might be right. I'm looking at it from a

"pick your fights" perspective. Check the link. Maybe just me but when was the last time anyone in that position did anything of lasting significance.

http://www.answers.com/topic/united-states-ambassadors-to-the-united-nations

[hector459]

27. It's for damn sure they can't block him unless they vote AGAINST him.

And we should take careful note of any Senator who votes FOR Bolton. It means they have no moral compass.

[pcboss49]

29. Sounds like it could be another Shrub Mandate.... (sic)...

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

31. I'd trade Bolton for Owens in a heartbeat.

Bolton will be somewhat checked at the UN.

Owens is forever.

[liberaliraqvet26]

32. We did do a good job....

beating him up in the confirmation process, his wings have been clipped

[0rganism]

33. Since when did a snake like Bolton need wings?

As others have noted, the consolation prize is that Bolton will represent what the USA has become to the rest of the world.