Moving on from the bankruptcy bill to John Bolton, UN rep nominee

I know everybody's bummed, upset and/or feeling defeated over the bankruptcy bill but the State Dept is trying to fast-track the John Bolton nomination. Most senators haven't even given this a thought yet, so we've got to get busy and educate them.

We've got no time to waste...

This from Steve Clemmons,

<snip>

We will name the factions tonight -- but as one TWN reader said, "who cares -- we just need to get to work opposing Bolton's confirmation and flood the appropriate Senate offices with our views." Soooo right.

Well, the first Democrat to officially break ranks is Senator Ben Nelson who is playing the "Zell Miller Lite Strategy" and plans to vote to confirm Bolton unless he hears something to dissuade him in the next several days.

We hope to send him material to help him in that ultimate decision -- but you can help by contacting his office at (202)224-6551. You may try and connect with his foreign affairs legislative assistant, Eric Pierce, or his receptionist. You can send an email to the Senator here or to senator@bennelson.senate.gov.

On other offices, let me just say that MOST OF THEM ARE NOT YET EVEN THINKING ABOUT THE BOLTON NOMINATION and have no idea that State is trying to fast track it. So, alert them -- and tell them to take a stand one way or another. Most of the caucus -- which I will report later -- is alleging to be undecided.

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/000361.html

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And this:
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/000360.html
John Bolton as Political Operator, Ideologue and Neo-Primitive

This debate about John Bolton is not just about him, or the United Nations -- it is about restoring a sense of integrity and common purpose among the great nations of the world and restoring U.S. leadership after the debacle that preceded the Iraq War.

Appointing Bolton to this position is the same as smiling at and talking about fresh start with the international community, like Bush did in Europe, while at the same time sliding a sharp knife into the world's back.

-- Steve Clemons


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And this:
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/000359.html
State Department Nervous about Bolton Nomination & Hearings

The time line just got pushed up. This just in from a very well-placed source:

FYI, I'm hearing that they are trying to move this nomination very quickly because the longer it hangs out there, the more time opponents have to mobilize. The State Department's material for the confirmation hearing (Q&A, etc) is due by COB today; they hope to schedule his hearing for next week.

When does it go there?

... of the Senate bill, which has little more to go than a final vote.

It's H.R. 685, I think. It's very similar to the Senate bill, so there will be little to do in conference.