BIG NEWS: John Bolton Confirmation Battle Really, Really Dead

[Amy6627]

The last pre-election loophole through which John Bolton's confirmation might have snuck through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was at 2:15 this afternoon at a previously called "business meeting" of the Committee.

That meeting has been cancelled -- and with it even the dimmest chance of John Bolton being confirmed as US Ambassador to the United Nations.

Some have said that another effort could be mounted during a lame duck session of Congress, but there are several Republicans who will not feel bound by the White House in that circumstance; Dems as well -- who will vote against cloture on the floor of the Senate were it to get out of Committee then.

So, it's over. Wow.

More here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/big-news-john-bolton-co_b_30267.html

[LSparkle]

1. Now we start the limbo dance: How low will they go (to keep him)?

Will they give him ANOTHER recess appointment (but they can't pay him or for his office, etc. -- Johnny boy would have to basically be a "volunteer")? Will they leave the post unfilled and appoint him as "acting chief of mission" (which would only confirm how slimy the White Haus is)? It will be interesting to see what transpires.

(Thanks to The Rachel Maddow Show's tutorial last night on this situation... )

[Ian David]

2. There are two things that could save Bolton

1) He could volunteer to work for free, and The Heritage Foundation could pay for his office's operational expenses.

2) He can accept a recess appointment to a more junior office, (Deputy Ambasador) and then become "acting" ambasador to The UN until the office is filled.

[Atman]

3. He cannot work for free, as I understand it.

I believe the law states that no one is allowed to work for free. It is a catch-22 situation. He could say "I'll take no pay," and then be eligible again, except for that another provision of the code, I am pretty sure, states the "no work for free" clause.