Decision Day on Bolton Nomination

Barring any unanticipated delays, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vote on the Bolton nomination at a meeting beginning around 2:15 this afternoon. Senators Biden and Dodd had requested more time to investigate the nominee, but the Washington Post reports this morning that committee chair Lugar has denied their requests, saying "It is now time to make a decision."

Senator Dodd tried to channel Republicans Hagel and Chafee in comments yesterday: "There's a series of these things that are emerging here, a pattern. Some of my colleagues have said, 'Look, I need to see a pattern.' I don't know how much more of a pattern you need." I can't disagree with that; I must confess I'm not sure how much more Hagel and Chafee would need either, but I am still hopeful that one (or even better, both) of them will vote against Bolton this afternoon.

The New York Times also suggests that attempts to further delay the committee vote seem unlikely to succeed, and offers comments from former Powell chief of staff Lawrence Wilkerson. Wilkerson: "... [Do] I think John Bolton would make a good ambassador to the United Nations? Absolutely not. He is incapable of listening to people and taking into account their views. He would be an abysmal ambassador." [emphasis added]

Jehl and Weisman's article goes on to note that neither former secretary Powell or deputy secretary Richard Armitage have endorsed Bolton's nomination as UN ambassador - Powell's name was conspicuously absent from a letter supporting the nomination signed by five former secretaries of state.

There is still time for reason to prevail here. Senators, you all know America can do better than John Bolton at the United Nations. Let's not settle for inferior leadership.