Bolton vs. Holbrooke: A tale of 2 UN Ambassador nominations

[AirAmFan]

We now have an extremist, untruthful, and arrogant UN Ambassodor who represents the White House but not the people of the United States. The enormity of Bush's recess appointment of this man, who well may be the original leaker of Valerie Plame's identity to the press, is historic. Did you miss this important WashingtonNote column a few days ago:

From http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/000820.html :

"A Tale of Two Nominees, by Scott Paul, July 28, 2005

It turns out John Bolton is not the first UN Ambassador nominee to consider a recess appointment: in 1999, President Clinton floated the idea of a recess appointment for Richard Holbrooke, one of his UN Ambassador nominees, but Holbrooke refused. No, Bolton has another place in the record books: he is the first nominee to actively campaign for a recess appointment. There couldn't be a starker contrast in priorities and conduct between nominees. Holbrooke had the support of an overwhelming majority of senators, but he insisted on having the full body's stamp of approval before taking the job. Bolton, on the other hand, is the most contentious UN Ambassador nominee in history. Chances are he couldn't steal 45 votes in the Senate on a secret ballot. Yet, as the White House comes out day after day with its "up-or-down vote" pleas, Bolton is actively pushing the recess appointment option.

The Holbrooke revelation came out earlier this week, thanks to Janine Zacharia and Roger Runningen, two reporters for Bloomberg. They wrote: At one point during the long stalemate, White House officials raised the prospect of a recess appointment with Holbrooke, according to two people who were involved in the matter. Holbrooke refused, saying it would diminish his credibility at UN. The recess appointment idea for Holbrooke was not public knowledge, even among most foreign policy insiders. Rather than accept the offer and weaken our hand at the UN, Holbrooke waited - for what turned out to be 14 long months. And Holbrooke, unlike Bolton, had the support of majorities in both parties.

Meanwhile, Bolton - whose nomination has been moving backwards for months - is working behind the scenes to make himself a recess appointee. Remember, Richard Holbrooke has a reputation for arrogance that even he acknowledges. Yet, Holbrooke was smart enough, and selfless enough, to understand that he could never make up for the credibility he would lose through a recess appointment. He believed firmly that accepting it would cripple the U.S. at the UN. He was right, and six years later, the rules are still the same. If only we could count on Bolton to follow Holbrooke's example of grace and humility."

[damntexdem]

1. This will be perfect:

if Bolton is now indicted by the Grand Jury. Enough egg would be on Dubya's face that the yolk will be on him.

[Inland]

2. Proving that this duplicitous, power grabbing admin is NOT biz as usual

What a great story. Just think, if Kerry had won, Holbrooke would probably be secretary of state now. A class act, competent, calm, respected for something more than having his tongue firmly up the president's asshole.

[AirAmFan]

3. Dubya's announcement speech today: "He will speak for ME..." Did you

notice? Not for the people of the US. Dubya has redefined statesmanship and diplomacy just the way he's redefined national defense. What childish arrogance and dangerous ignorance!

[Inland]

5. See, Bush thinks that's all the legitimacy a guy needs

That he's Bush's man. He has Bush's ear. He is Bush's vicar. He channels Bush's desire. He will never, ever, ever, do one single solitary thing except the wish of Bush.

Too bad a democracy requires something more than the grace of teh sovereign GodKing for authority. Diplomacy means something more than transmitting Bush's demands.

At least, it used to. Protofacism marches on.

[AirAmFan]

4. Of 24 previous nominees before Bolton, 22 were confirmed UNANIMOUSLY

by the Senate, according to George Stephanopoulos on the ABC Evening News this evening (Monday).

That statistic has to be added to the quantitative record that shows just how extreme the current regime is. Their philosophy seems to be, "Legitimacy be DAMNED! We'll do whatever we think we can get away with."