MSNBC has a banner headline reporting that Bush is going to go ahead with the recess appointment of Bolton. No details yet, but I'll be curious as to whether or not the media reports this as a "defeat" or "victory" for the White House.
To any observer of the Bolton hearings, it's clearly a loss that Bush has to be the first president EVER to resort to a recess appointment for a UN Ambassador, especially when his party controlls congress. Enjoy the spin!
Updated w/story below the fold
MSNBC now reporting:
WASHINGTON - Frustrated by Democrats, President Bush will circumvent the Senate on Monday and install embattled nominee John Bolton to be ambassador to the United Nations, a senior administration official told NBC News.
Bush has the power to fill vacancies without Senate approval while Congress is in recess. Under the Constitution, a recess appointment during the lawmakers' August break would last until the next session of Congress, which begins in January 2007.
In advance of Bush's announcement, Democrats said Bolton would start his new job on the wrong foot in a recess appointment.
Frustrated by Democrats? I'm not sure about the phraseology here. Commentary?
Vote on the "appropriateness" of the appointment here.