GOP Senators' Bid to Confirm Bolton Is Called Off--WaPo

[Demeter]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/07/AR2006090700128.html?referrer=email&referrer=email&referrer=email



By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 8, 2006; A03



Republican efforts to formally confirm John R. Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations hit an unexpected snag yesterday when a Republican senator in a tough reelection bid said he could not support the diplomat until the Bush administration answers his questions on Middle East policy.

The protest by Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee (R.I.) is only the latest development in the long-running battle to get Bolton confirmed to the post he now holds on a temporary basis. Last year, Chafee supported Bolton's confirmation, but the opposition of Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) prompted President Bush to name him to the U.N. post as a recess appointment.

This summer, Voinovich declared that his concerns over Bolton's temperament have been satisfactorily answered by the diplomat's performance at the United Nations. That conversion prompted Bush and GOP leaders to resubmit Bolton's name for confirmation. But Chafee informed Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) of his change of heart yesterday, forcing Lugar to call off the confirmation vote or face the possibility of a 9 to 9 deadlock in the 18-member panel.

Chafee is fighting for his political life. Next Tuesday, Rhode Island primary voters must decide between Chafee, the Senate's most liberal Republican, and Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey, who is challenging him from the right. If Chafee survives the GOP primary, he must then win reelection in one of the most Democratic states in the country....Republican leadership aides said GOP leaders are willing to give Chafee some room to maneuver ahead of Tuesday's primary. But they indicated they will probably push for a vote after the polls close next week.

[liberal N proud]

1. So, how long before Chafee has a change of heart

A little visit by KKKarl and his thugs and Lincoln will see things a little differently.

Happened before and I am sure it will this time, GOP arm twisting to bring the Senator into the Party line.

[Greeby]

3. He may be out of a job by Tuesday

Rhode Island primary

[FighttheFuture]

11. That's why it's been delayed. I recall that the RNC is giving him

some room until after that primary.

[aquart]

2. Awww. He wants to wait to sell out the American people.

Good going, Lincoln.

[Vidar]

4. I'll commend Chafee for at least trying to do the right thing.

[Frazzled Educator]

5. Chafee is getting no help from the GOP.

Why should he bend over backwards for them? It's like Joe Loserman! The Democrats spoke and said "you suck, we want a REAL Democrat in Lamont" and now he's trying to destroy Democrats.

Only difference is. . Chafee is working for democracy. Lieberman is working for fascism.

[civildisoBDence]

6. Chafee is a liberal Republican

with a long record of voting against the Bush agenda. He votes with Democrats more often than with Republicans.

Give him a break--he's a good man with integrity.

News and commentary, left to right

[TankLV]

7. He only votes against the repukes when it is SAFE and he/they know his

vote WON'T COUNT.

On every single issue, in every single instance, when his vote counted, he ALWAYS SUPPORTED THE bush* AND THE REPUKES.

EVERY. SINGLE. FUCKING. TIME.

He is NOT a man of "integrity". He doen't know the concept of the word.

Fuck him and his kind.

HIS KIND are responsible for bushco and the CRIMINAL repukes having the "successes" they've had in DESTROYING our Country...

[FighttheFuture]

9. He's a repug, he deserves no "breaks". Maybe less scorn....

[Daylin Byak]

10. He deserves a break from me

Good job Lincoln, you a good senator for standing up to the bush regime and one of the few reupkes I actually like

But that dosen't mean I still want you in office. Sure you may have a real liberal record in the Senate but your a repuke and we need to vote you out for the good of the Democratic party.

But still, good job.

[FighttheFuture]

8. This isn't "Called Off". Delay would be the word. Threse Repuglican

cancers just keep on coming back. Count on it.