Deep Breath

Alright, Frist's speech is done. As I note below, while he said he will support Specter-Harkin, he failed to lay out a timetable for when a debate and vote will be held. This is unfortunate, and once the recess is completed, proponents of the bill are going to need to push - hard - for movement on this front. Aside from what will probably be some media glorification of Frist's stance, I don't think it won him any new friends, while it almost certainly made him some new enemies.

The Senate now is back on other matters, and will be using today to wrap up consideration of some appropriations bills, the energy bill conference report, possibly the highway bill, and the gun liability bill. They are planning to gavel out tonight, but that could spill over into tomorrow.

Will Bolton get a recess appointment now with the new controversy swirling around him? I would find it hard to believe that even this Administration could take such a precipitous step. It would certainly be incredibly unfortunate. President Bush, Secretary Rice and other advisors should take the much wiser course: quietly withdraw John Bolton's name this afternoon, and submit to the Senate a candidate for the UN ambassadorship who would be an effective reformer and a strong voice for America.