Senate Foreign Relations committe mtg to vote on Bolton - tracking here

[housewolf]

c-span2 is broadcasting

[vivalarev]

1. Biden is talking about

the Melanie Townsel experience with Bolton

[housewolf]

2. Biden is giving an overview of new allegations

requesting an extension, moving that committee go into closed session because of nature of allegations

[housewolf]

3. Lugar is calling for a vote on Biden motion,

There's chaos going on

[housewolf]

4. Party line vote denies closed session

Committee remains in open session

[housewolf]

5. They're discussing whether or not the committee can be filibustered

and why there can't be time to review additional information because it's such an important nomination with serious allegations

[housewolf]

6. Lugar says Republicans want to vote for Bolton

Kerry asks "doesn't it matter what you know about him?"

"You're voting in the blind, you don't know all the allegations that ahave come forth"

[housewolf]

7. Kerry's trying to convince to go to closed session

rebutting Sen. Allen's comments about Carl Ford's testimony being hearsay, trying to diminish the importance of the testimony.

Kerry wants to move again to go to closed session

Baraba Boxer making stand against the way the committee is beig run

[housewolf]

8. Mark Allen says the info should be open session

unless it's info a a sexual nature, bring allegations forward in open session

[housewolf]

9. Biden says closed session rule is to save people from disgrace

it doesn't necessarily have to be sexual in nature but it's from career gov't people whose careers might be in danger.

[housewolf]

10. Sen Dodd talking about why he is opposed to the nomination

trying to have 5 intelligence people removed from their positions within 24 months, 62 diplomats signed public letter against Bolton, Powell's Chief of Staff derides Bolton as UN rep in NY Times today, now talking about intelligence structure in order to understand Bolton's & analysis relationships

[seemslikeadream]

11. Thanks housewolf

I'm watching with you, this has got me in tears, what are they doing?

[housewolf]

12. They're talking about the new allegations in the open session

I suppose that will limit what they can/will say, but it gives us the opportunity to follow it.

[housewolf]

13. Dodd's talking about 5 instances of harassment/intimidation

[housewolf]

14. Requesting more time to review the allegations

says it sets bad precedent in the committee to deny the time to review serious allegations

[housewolf]

15. Dodd wants Bolton to be able to come back and answer allegations

Lugar says a majority of senators is prepared to vote but Dodd can make a motion, Lugar trying to push for vote right now, no more debate,

[housewolf]

16. Sarbannes saying we have not had vigorous debate on Bolton

other nominaions have had months of review, they've only had a month to review Bolton, they should have a full review & debate, it's very untoward to cut off the debate right now

[housewolf]

17. Biden questioning Bolton's credibility

asks whether he told the truth about what he attempted to do with the analysts vs. what the analysts said he tried to do -

Bolton said his visit to "Mr. Smith" at Langley was "on his way home" - others said it was in the morning and then he came into to State Dept for a full day's work

and that he went back time and time again, trying to get punitive action taken againt Mr. Smith

[housewolf]

18. strong accusations of Bolton lying

[housewolf]

19. Questioning whether he actually had "lost confidence" in Wasterman

Bolton had never read any of Wasterman's work, they didn't work on the same issues - Bolton just got mad about something Wasterman said

[housewolf]

20. Biden running down list of probable problem areas in the futre

worried about someone who has a history of not being honest being our spokesperson at the UN

[housewolf]

21. In your heart, you know thise guy doesn't deserve to go to the UN

[oasis]

22. Norm Coleman believes Bolton is squeaky clean since there "is no proof

of criminal behavior." :puke:

[housewolf]

23. Norm Coleman trying to defend Bolton

says the issue is about what the president wants & reforming the UN

obviously Bolton stirs up passion but the record is there (what the heck does THAT mean????)

[housewolf]

24. Kerry - the role of the committee is not to report what has been written

in the papers, it's to create a record and we haven't done that.

We've done it partially but this is the first time I've seen a trying to hasten to proceed as we are now.

What's at stake is the integrity of our committee. I get the politics but I don't get the committee's action? Is there some way we can satisfy those who want to extend the record and the needs of the chairman? What the committee is about shouldn't be about the politics of the matter.

Talking about people who have come forward since Carl Ford

4 types of abuse being discussed
credibility
abuse of analysts
trying to remove analysts who's work he didn't agree with
lying

[housewolf]

25. Lugar says the committee has reviewed extensive amount of info on Bolton

says the issue is the the pres has made a nomination, Rice has recommended him, many have testified about confrontations and they are not inconsequential but the committee must vote and the senate must vote but he's calling for a vote right now

[housewolf]

26. Sarbannes trying to ask why the vote needs to be right now

says the Senate is out until 5, he assumed the time would be used for debate, why is the chairman trying to short-cut the time?

[housewolf]

27. Lugar says the Dems are not behaving in good faith

what were all the unusual proceedings about earlier today? We delayed because of the death of the pope, the delays are over, it's time for a vote

[housewolf]

28. Hagel says it's not over even if a vote passes today

Hagel will vote for Bolton nomination in order to move the nomination to the floor, the allegations are serious and should be moved to the full senate and there should be a full review on the floor of the senate

[housewolf]

29. Sarbannes again wondering why this nomination is being pushed

other nominations have taken months, why is the committee departing from usual proceedings to hurry this nomination through

[housewolf]

31. WOW! Voinovich not comfortable voting for Bolton!!!

This is a surprise!

He put a hold on Holbroke before, with what he's heard today he's not comfortable voting for Bolton, maybe it would be in the best interests for the committee to gather more information

[seemslikeadream]

34. What's Chafee going to do?

[housewolf]

44. Dont' know but it seems

he's feeling the pressure and trying to hide out while he decides to either cave in or stick his foot out

[housewolf]

32. Lugar says the doesn't think more time will change anyones mind

He says he has a responsibility to move Bolton's nomination along

Asks that if Dodd wants to make a motion for further review, please do so now.

[seemslikeadream]

30. Voinovich SAYS NO!

[housewolf]

33. This is a surprise!

I didn't see this coming at all, did you?

[woodsprite]

35. Is Voinavich up for reelection in 06? n/t

[goodhue]

46. no

eom

[countryjake]

62. He's in til 2010.

[seemslikeadream]

36. No no idea

Come on Chafee Be a man do the right thing do it!!!

[housewolf]

37. Personal opinion - Lugar not handling this well

He's starting to feel the pressure, starting to come down on the Dems for not falling in line, losing his temper a little bit

[notadmblnd]

40. yeah, that little smirk of his is suddenly gone

nt

[housewolf]

38. Obama says he heard new allegations today

wants to know what the procedures would be for reviewing the info if the committee votes the nomination out today


Lugar says aides keep working on it

Obama asks shouldn't that all take place in committee?

[housewolf]

39. Lugar accusing Dems of trying to stall the nomination for something

"hot" to come up

[seemslikeadream]

41. Biden asks - Seak the name of an intercept?

Standard practice?

[housewolf]

42. Biden brings up something else new

regarding to the Intercepts - was what Bolton did standard practice, normal or abnormal?

[seemslikeadream]

43. I think the Dems are blindsiding Lugar now

[seemslikeadream]

45. What's Hagel saying?

Did I hear that right?

[housewolf]

47. Hagel says the vote won't move the nomination out of committee today

he thinks Lugar doesn't have the votes right now, suggests putting a time limit on Dodd's motion for more time



Allen also asks for a time limit and a list of the particular issues to review

[seemslikeadream]

49. I can't believe this!

[ReadTomPaine]

53. You're not the only one. High drama.

Big news day, sheesh.

[housewolf]

54. I LOVE this! It wasn't carved in stone after all!

[seemslikeadream]

58. As I said at the beginning

I had NO hope this would happen, I was in tears.

[housewolf]

50. Voinovich could be a hero today

the tune has changed, we 'might" get further review!

[jbond56]

48. So if this makes it till 5:00

can't any senator put a hold on it?

[ReadTomPaine]

51. Lets see if Lugar changes his tune

if the votes aren't there

[housewolf]

52. Discussion about what would happen with a tied vote?

Biden says a tied vote would keep the nomination within the committee, the nomination could receive further review or it could be dropped

[ReadTomPaine]

55. Holy cow, they are going to delay, aren't they.

[housewolf]

56. Lugar still pushing for a vote

or at least wants to set a firm date now to hold the vote

[housewolf]

59. He wants assurance

and a list of particulars as to what witnesses to call, a firm date for a vote

Dodd wants to be able to call Bolton back to answer charges

Biden says set a date for vote after the next meeting, after joint review process, call Bolton back if the review sees things that are substantial and require Bolton to answer

[housewolf]

61. Biden open to the allegations being of no merit

but he things they should be checked out, pushing for a joint investigation

[spuddonna]

60. Question on Lugar...

I don't know the protocols here... It's obvious that Biden and Dodd have been in this committee for a LONG time... but has Lugar? And especially in the position of Chairman??

[housewolf]

63. He's been on the committe for a very long time

but I think he's new to being chairman

[ReadTomPaine]

65. Longtime member, twice chairman

Jan 2003-present & 1985 to 1986

[ReadTomPaine]

57. The pressure on the GOP committee members is going to be extreme.

No matter what they uncover.

[housewolf]

64. They're doing it!!! They're coming to an agreement for an extension

of time for a review!

Lugar asked for a good-faith promise from the Dems that they'll set a date for after return from April recess for an examination of witnesses and a continuation of this meeting, be prepared to vote at that meeting


Kerry asks if that includes possible re-interview of Bolton

Lugar - yes

[Coexist]

68. Thanks, blue Senators - you did good today

some days I just LOOOOOVE my party

[ReadTomPaine]

69. Wow. Lugar's going to get a nasty call from the White House for certain.

No dessert tonight for him from the GOP

[countryjake]

66. Now they're all gonna get the goods on "Ms. Schmedlap".

[housewolf]

67. It's DONE!!! We got our extension and further review!

Hey listen you guys - we WON one!!!!

This was a big success --- with much gratitude and thanks to Voinovitch!

[ReadTomPaine]

70. Indeed. Not bad, Dems!

It looked bleak at 4:30 EDT

[countryjake]

71. Vote: C-Span - 1; Pope mania - 0

[seemslikeadream]

72. Look at this BLOOMBERG GETS IT WRONG

I guess they were just a bit overconfident

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1406499

[goodhue]

73. replay?

Is this going to be replayed tonight?

[countryjake]

75. I think it'll re-air tonight at 8 pm E

[sundancekid]

74. major props to you, housewolf, for posting this .. from a grateful workrat

also, the "voting chess game" was very interesting -- once Ohio's Mr. V. started waffling about his vote on the record, and Hagel said he'd get it out of committee BUT would want the questions/issues revisited on the senate floor, it was all over for Luger -- great maneuvers and great cover on the gutsy repub side, and way to hold 'em on the dem side ...

in the statue and pigeon world ... it's a good day, indeed!

[Vinca]

76. That was an amazing little session. I'm still pinching myself.

I never did figure out what Chaffee was going to do, did anyone else?