Bush, Frist split on judges

A split has opened between the White House and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) over the timing of the “nuclear option.”

The Bush administration would prefer the Senate to deal with the nomination of John Bolton to be U.N. ambassador before it gets down to the issue of filibustered judicial nominations.

Although Eric Ueland, chief of staff to Frist, denied that the administration wants Bolton’s nomination to take precedence, GOP aides said White House lobbyists have pushed for quick action on Bolton.

Ueland told The Hill that White House aides only expressed a sense of “ardor” that the Senate confirm Bolton. “They have made it crystal clear that scheduling decisions are with the leader,” Ueland said.