Dodd Responds on Bolton

In response to the Frist/McCain Bolton non-news conference earlier today, Senator Dodd took to the Senate floor at about 6:2o p.m. He noted, correctly, that the Democrats have been shrinking goalposts on their Bolton demands, reminding listeners that all they've asked for is to know whether certain names do or do not appear in the NSA intercepts requested by Bolton, instead of requiring all of the names be made available as in the original request. "This is a matter beyond the consideration of Mr. Bolton" now, Dodd said, repeating several times that "as a coequal branch of government," the Senate was entitled to receive information it deemed vital to consideration of the nomination.

Dodd's most interesting point, and one which I think could be useful to opponents of the nomination as we move forward, was that "the administration is filibustering their own nominee." "In a matter of hours," Dodd said, there could be a vote on Bolton, if the Administration simply yields slightly on the information requested. I don't believe it's too much to ask - in fact, I think it's the least the White House could do since they seem intent on foisting this unfit nominee upon the nation and the world.