Bolton Hearings Delayed

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearings on John Bolton to be UN Ambassador, originally scheduled for tomorrow morning, have been postponed at the request of Senators Kerry, Dodd, and Biden, who will be going to Rome for the funeral of Pope John Paul II. The committee hearings will now be held on Monday, April 11.

Steve Clemons reports this morning, citing a Boston Globe story, that Senator Chafee's office said yesterday "that his constituency is 'overwhelmingly' opposed to the nomination of John Bolton as US ambassador to the United Nations, signaling that Chafee is leaning against supporting Bolton in a move that could derail the nomination." Should Chafee cast a negative vote in committee, the Bolton nomination would not have enough votes to reach the Senate floor with a positive recommendation.

If you have any interest in this matter (and not to preach, but we all should), please contact Senator Chafee's office via his website or by phone (202-224-2921) and urge him to stand strong against this nomination.