Bolton not a slam dunk?

Senate Committee Delays Vote on Bolton

WASHINGTON - A Senate committee delayed until next week a vote on John R. Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations after Democrats asked for more time.

Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee want to question State Department officials in writing Bolton, said Andy Fisher, spokesman for the committee's chairman, Sen. Richard Lugar R-Ind., on Wednesday. Committee Democrats strongly oppose the nomination of Bolton, who is now undersecretary of state.


Putting off a vote that tentatively have been planned for Thursday would give Democrats more time to try to persuade a moderate Republican, Sen. Lincoln Chafee (news, bio, voting record) of Rhode Island, to defect to their side. Chafee has said he is inclined to vote for Bolton, but has not said he definitely would support confirmation.

It makes one wonder if Sen. Richard Lugar realizes that the guy is a horrible choice and is actually hopping that Chafee will defect.