Lugar, Hagel indicating Bolton will pass committee

[BurtWorm]

Or they could just be bluffing.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-UN-Ambassador.html?pagewanted=print

May 9, 2005
Bolton OK Expected on Party - Line Vote
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 7:45 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- John R. Bolton, the president's controversial choice to be ambassador to the United Nations, will likely win a party-line vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, according to the panel's chairman.

Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., told CBS' ''Face the Nation'' on Sunday that in the end, he suspected Republicans will vote for President Bush's nominee, and Democrats will vote unanimously against him. That would send Bolton's nomination to the full Senate on a 10-8 margin when the GOP-led committee meets Thursday.

The vote, delayed since mid-April, probably will come off as scheduled, Lugar predicted. But he acknowledged that Democrats who want more information about Bolton have many procedural ways to stall the vote.

Four committee Republicans supported postponement of the April vote in order to review fresh allegations against Bolton. While none has announced plans to oppose Bolton, it would take only one Republican to side with the committee's eight Democrats to create a tie vote -- jeopardizing the nomination.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. I wonder if the Bolton vote will be part of a compromise...

...on the fillibuster.:grr:

[BurtWorm]

5. You know what? If it's a choice between Bolton and those judges?

I'd pick Bolton. He'll be out in no time, but a judgeship is forever.

[rox63]

2. If you're a constuent of any Repug Foreign Relations Senators

Call their offices, and express your disapproval and outrage at Bolton's nomination. Especially if you're in Rhode Island, 'cause Chafee is the one most likely to bend our way. He's from a heavily blue state.

[Darkhawk32]

3. My question is this:

What new evidence has come about that would make Voinovich "more comfortable" about voting for Bolton?

My guess is: threats and intimidation.

[w13rd0]

4. Remember...

...they ran advertisements against Voinovich because he didn't tow the Bush line on taxes. They are absolutely ruthless in keeping the Republicans towing the Bush line...

[Beetwasher]

6. I Suspect Some Senators Got A Call From Cheney That Went Something Like

This:

"So, Senator, a big vote's coming up on Bolton. Just wondering, how's the family? You know, it would be a damn shame if something happened to them."

[ElaineinIN]

7. vote in committee v. floor

I seem to remember from the committee hearings that some of the Republicans were saying they would vote him out of committee, but not vote for him on the floor--I think it was Chaffee or Hagel? Anything further on that or was I just hallucinating?

[BurtWorm]

8. It was Hagel. But why vote him out of committee if you don't think he's

good for the job. That was one of the lamest moments of the last committee meeting.