Friday, July 28, 2006
WASHINGTON POST
WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats unleashed a sharp volley of criticism of President Bush's foreign policy Thursday, arguing that John Bolton has done more harm than good as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and does not deserve an extended term.
If Bolton's style were less divisive, they said, he might have achieved more reforms at the United Nations and tougher sanctions against Hezbollah and North Korea.
But Republicans defended Bolton and the administration, and said it would be unwise to change ambassadors when the Middle East is in crisis and Iran and North Korea are threatening nuclear advances. Democrats said it was unclear whether they will try to filibuster Bolton's nomination this fall, as they successfully did last year.
Bush angered Democrats last August by giving Bolton a "recess appointment" to the U.N. post after the Senate failed twice to muster the 60 votes needed to end debate on his nomination. The appointment will expire by December, and Bush is asking the Senate to confirm Bolton for the rest of his term, saying the outspoken ambassador has proved his effectiveness.
Several Democrats hotly disputed that claim at Thursday's hearing before the Foreign Relations Committee.
"My objection isn't that he's a bully, but that he's been an ineffective bully and can't win the day when it comes, when it really counts," said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., who led last year's opposition.