Bush to appoint Bolton this morning

WaPo reporting:

President Bush plans to sidestep the Senate on Monday and install controversial nominee John Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations, an administration official said.

The appointment, which is expected during a White House ceremony this morning, would constitute a so-called recess appointment. Bush, who has refused to surrender the fight over Bolton, has the power to fill vacancies without Senate approval while Congress is in recess.

•  Hooray

  Sub-40 approval ratings, here we come!

  With luck the French delegation will make a sport out of quietly tormenting him until Captain Furious loses it and breaks something.  

  by Tom Frank on Mon Aug 01, 2005 at 06:58:33 AM PDT

  •  I wonder who...

    Mr. mean mustache will chase around the UN?

    This guy is a terrible representative of the US. Mr. Bolton gives the impression that we are an arrogant country that believes that we are the ruling country of the world and can do what we want with impunity.

    Why would Bush want to install this guy - he is terrible. We need a real diplomat that can work for change, not someone who will just tick everyone else off.

    by RichardG on Mon Aug 01, 2005 at 07:03:23 AM PDT

    •  Why appoint Bolton?

      Just as you said, because: "Mr. Bolton gives the impression that we are an arrogant country that believes that we are the ruling country of the world and can do what we want with impunity."

      That's just how the neo-cons see it, and they aim to let the world know that's "the way it IS!!"

      Read anything from Shadia Drury on Leo Strauss.  It explains alot.

      by gabbardd on Mon Aug 01, 2005 at 07:10:43 AM PDT

      •  I suspect

        the reason Bolton is being appointed now, after all the opposition, has less to do with arrogance and ideology than it does with a specific neocon plan for War on Terror Part Two (re: Iran).

        Sound tinfoil? If (former UN weapons inspector) Scott Ritter, along with (a former CIA agent writing in) the American Conservative magazine, and Sy Hersh (at the New Yorker) are all tinfoil, then I suppose it is.

        by gnat on Mon Aug 01, 2005 at 07:27:00 AM PDT

        •  The nice thing is,

          nobody at the UN will give a shit what mister recess appointment thinks.  

          by Tom Frank on Mon Aug 01, 2005 at 07:35:52 AM PDT

        •  Speaking of the "War on Terror,"

          this may be tinfoil, but it makes you wonder about "the struggle against violent extremism" as we're fighting it in this country

          http://www.freedomunderground.org/memoryhole/pentagon.php#Main

          and how extreme and violent it may be.

          by gabbardd on Mon Aug 01, 2005 at 11:22:31 AM PDT