White House denies senators papers on Bolton nomination

[UpInArms]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/05/28/white_house_denies_senators_papers_on_bolton_nomination/

WASHINGTON -- White House officials declined yesterday to give senators the extra documents they are seeking regarding John R. Bolton, President Bush's choice to become ambassador to the United Nations, setting up a major standoff with Senate Democrats over the long-troubled nomination.

<snip>

''John Bolton enjoys majority support, and it's a shame that Democrats are stopping a vote," said Erin Healy, a White House spokeswoman. ''This is about partisan politics, not documents."

Beset by allegations he bullied subordinates and holds the UN in contempt, Bolton's nomination has been controversial since Bush selected him in early March, and the White House's decision to hold fast on the documents will probably keep it in limbo even longer. Forty-one senators voted against closing off debate on Bolton -- enough to kill his nomination through indefinite delay, although some Democrats may be uncomfortable about mounting a filibuster amid Republican charges of obstructionism.

Senate Democrats want to see documents relating to Bolton's involvement in a report alleging that Syria possesses weapons of mass destruction. But the administration has said that such internal communications must be kept private to ensure candor within the administration's policy discussions.

Democrats also want 10 National Security Agency intelligence intercepts that Bolton requested, to determine whether Bolton, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, acted appropriately by asking for the names of Americans mentioned in the documents. The White House has allowed the chairman and the ranking Democrat on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to review the intercepts, but only with the names of the 19 Americans mentioned in them blacked out.

...more...

[rodeodance]

1. oh oh --now what?

[rodeodance]

3. lots of arm twisting on both sides now

.........Senate majority leader Bill Frist has intervened with the White House on the Democrats' behalf, but he has no plans to pursue that further because he believes the Senate's file on Bolton already has enough information to decide on his nomination, according to a Frist spokeswoman. Frist can put Bolton's nomination on the agenda any time after June 7, when the Senate reconvenes after a weeklong holiday break.

If Democrats relent on their filibuster, Bolton appears to have enough votes to win confirmation since Republicans control 55 of the 100 Senate seats. But some Republicans are set to oppose him; Senator George V. Voinovich of Ohio has urged colleagues to reject Bolton, calling him ill-suited for the diplomatic post, and freshman Senator John Thune of South Dakota also has said he intends to vote against Bolton.

[wildwww2]

2. In other words. They will cheat to win like they always do. To hell

with advise and consent. Because they have something to hide in the documents. And it is not partisan politics. It is Bu$h Inc. criminal activities. And Bolton is one of their key criminals. They must have to trim Scott McClellan`s nose everyday with all the lies he tells.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[applegrove]

4. "senators have all the documents they need to make a decision on Bolton"

Does that phrase actually have any meaning?

[Pirate Smile]

21. It is a pat on the head of the Senate by the WH. They are the children

and the WH is the adult who gets to make the decision.

Co-equal branches of Government? No way is the WH's response.

[applegrove]

56. What a loaded statement. Means nothing, you can read into it what

you want, it patronizes. Right you are.

[karynnj]

47. The WH is right because it the Republicans were voting on the merits

of what is already known it would be a no brainer to reject him. Would any company hire someone if they knew for a FACT that he lied during his employment hearing? (And Bolton was under oath - Where are the indictments?)

So even ignoring distorting intelligence that could cause wars and being an very dysfunctional person, they should vote no simply because he clearly is hostile to a form of government that has an independent legislative branch.

[DebJ]

49. Yes, they received the one that said: I said so. GWB.

[cornermouse]

5. In other words, Senators don't need information to use a rubberstamp

Basically, they're just there to provide background in the photo-ops and provide cover and collect the blame for Bush's unpopular policies.

...How much are we paying these people?

[izzie]

6. Is this Bush's govt. or ours?

I swear he thinks he is the King.

[Benhurst]

7. It is his government. He stole it. Finders keepers. NT

[truthisfreedom]

8. funny. rove is at the end of his rope, and he's been there for weeks.

pick a way to be obviated, rove.

[bowens43]

9. Oh well. Bolton doesn't get a vote. That's fine with me.

[WI_DEM]

10. Don't worry Lieberman and Nelson will come up with a "compromise"

so Bolton can be confirmed.

[earthside]

22. Here's the 'Compromise'

Indeed. Here's what a 'compromise' would look like:

The White House doesn't have to show the Senators the requested documents this time.
Bolton gets an 'up or down vote'.

Then, of course, the corporate news media will praise the Democrats in the Senate for being so civil and fair and bipartisan. And Democrats will pat themselves on the back for being so cooperative with Bush and the radical Republicans.

To quote a famous line: "Another victory like this and we are finished."

[still_one]

11. not for the folks here

but for the morans that voted for *, I hope they are happy with what they got...

Polls say * is low in the rating game. Are these the same people who voted for him in 2004?

How many of these people voted for *, but do NOT want to privitize social security?

How many of these people voted for *, but want stem cell research

How many of these people voted for *, but have a family member in Iraq or may potentially go to Iraq

In about 7 years when people are complaining how they cannot afford to send their kid to college, how they don't have adequate retirement or healthcare, I will ask them one question:

WHO DID YOU VOTE FOR IN 2004?

[AzDar]

12. Perfect time for Shrub to make a "recess appointment"......

[Gman]

13. Obstructionism?

They black out the names of 19 Americans mentioned in the documents and then have the nerve to call Democrats obstructionists?

Why the Dems don't call them out on this is beyond me.

[farmbo]

14. And now...a unified WH Press Corps will stand up and demand the Docs!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

17. That better NOT happen...

I don't want all the flying pig shit on my roof.

[KC21304]

23. Now that's funny !

What a picture. And think of all the ice skates being shipped down below.

ps. Love your sig line. I listen to Richard Burton singing that with tears streaming down my cheeks every year on Nov. 22.

[rodeodance]

50. ye of many illusions (te he)

[leftyclimber]

15. "But the administration...

... has said that such internal communications must be kept private to ensure candor within the administration's policy discussions."

Kept private to ensure candor.

Paging George Orwell...

[0007]

20. ....if that isn't a slam on Biden & the Dem's I don't know what is....

BTW - Welcome Home leftyclimber.

[rodeodance]

42. it is a big slap in the face!!

[alcibiades_mystery]

43. Indeed

The entire problem is that Bolton requested intercepts in order to punish those who were being candid! To base this refusal on "good advice" from subordinates is the height of Orwellianism. That's precisely the charge against Bolton!

[leesa]

45. Ahhh...the Energy Papers scam. Paging Scalia, I see ducks!

[Demeter]

16. There Must Be A Crime--Proceed Appropriately!

Demand a subpoena and an investigation. Hold up the vote until they have proven they aren't pulling a cover-up (as if!)

[halobeam]

18. I WANT TO SCREAMMMMMMM!!

Damn. He works for US . Damn it. I'm so mad at "our???" democrat senators right now... how could they NOT be DEMANDING ON AIR, EVERY MINUTE, that WE , WE , WE, DECIDE if we have enough to advise and consent. WE, WE, WE, get what we ask for, it is our RESPONSIBILITY to have all the information WE deem necessary. Not our RIGHT, OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

Who is this King George dictator? What utter nerve of this administration. It's OUR government and he works for us. Well, I'll be, the complacency and apathy in this country is bewildering beyond the fanatical. Holy toledo son uva b... !!!

[ChrisK]

19. Don't Republicans work for the same Government?

Why are the Republicans holding back a few pages of information that is being asked for by the Democrats?...Both sides work for the same Government right?...So why the hold-up?

Ms Healy's statement makes it sound as if the Democrats are not "smart" enough to vote yes for Bolton like the Republicans...but when you see the White House holding back on a few papers that are being asked for you have to wonder who the truly "smart" ones are.

Is it me or are Republicans trying to make decisions with as little information as possible?

Personally I find it funny how they (Republicans) are trying to paint themselves as the party of wisdom and common sense but when asked to supply more info to make a better decision they tell the ones asking to stop being obstructionists....Like being informed or well-read is a bad thing, but then look at the President..a man who runs on gut instincts and has no need to be well informed..and he wonders why he is not liked by the rest of the world..most people dislike stupidity.

[GCP]

24. Bolton's damaged goods now whatever happens

He should do the dignified thing and withdraw himself from the nomination. There's no way he can do any kind of a job - good or bad - in the UN, because thay've all been watching this. He'll get no cooperation there and the only thing he'll be good for is putting some stick about - oh, wait a minute - duh.

[Mnemosyne]

27. Bolton do the dignified thing?

the man has no dignity or ethics.
And you are so right, he will be totally impotent IF he makes it.:hi:

[ElectroPrincess]

33. Exactly! Just like Delay, he'll stay entrenched until he's wrapped-up

and carried away by the men in white coats. :P Why, these men have no shame ... also, IMO, no integrity or empathy for others less fortunate than themselves.

[Mnemosyne]

36. Psychopaths/sociopaths are Them! n/t

[Vickers]

28. "He should do the dignified thing"

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:


Whew! Sorry.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

55. exactly

i do admire optimism though.

[bobthedrummer]

25. By now Bolton knows he's toast too.

What does the world's diplomatic community think about this fuckhead?

[ElectroPrincess]

31. I didn't think the WH could screw up this big since Kerik ...

Just when you think they couldn't become more conniving and corrupt the go and nominate John "Yosemite Sam" Bolton to occupy the most esteemed diplomatic position in Our Government.

1984 Indeed!

[Renew Deal]

26. Don't give him a vote.

Fuck it. Let him rot.

[annabanana]

29. LTTE's folks..

What are they hiding? Why don't they want us to see the documents?
Was he behind the famous "bad intelligence" that took us to war?

[natrat]

30. what about the fact that he's a rapist

[spooky3]

32. Hey, Erin: Then give them the documents, and call their bluff.

The fact that you're not doing so makes YOU look bad, and makes Democrats look good--it makes us average citizens ask, "What could be so explosive in those documents that she won't turn them over? No wonder the Senate wants the evidence!"

[lala_rawraw]

34. How funny, did Erin's

Little stab sound like a playground taunt? What are they all taking Rove pills of maturity?

[struggle4progress]

35. What ARE they hiding? eom

[mike_c]

37. ensuring "candor within the administration's policy discussions..."

...means ensuring that they can lie with impunity behind a shield of public anonymity.

[ananda]

38. ermm

Excuse me, but..

.. exactly what majority support does Bolton enjoy?

Must be Bushco's majority of the few...

Language.. uggghhh.

Sue

[justsomegirl]

39. Sounds like...

Those docs must be pretty bad if they didn't qualify for a "Friday night before a long weekend" document dump.

[rodeodance]

40. or at least redacted copies!!

[rodeodance]

41. or it could just be a big ego thing that the WH has--

[lonestarnot]

44. What are those son-of-a-bitches hiding?! Must be BAD!

And they are doing it in full view of America...Is everyone going to now applaud? Or are we going to fight?

[creeksneakers2]

46. The public has a right to know

Bush is trying to create a new standard of secrecy. "If you aren't going to vote my way then you don't deserve information." Its not about what the Senators want. Its about public's right to know. The adversarial relationship between the parties is intended to produce information like this.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

48. Revealing papers will SHOW that Bolton VIOLATED THE LAW.

It will be a cool day in Hell when this CRIMINAL administration releases the NSA documents...to do so would without a doubt show that Bolton violated US secrecy laws.

At what point does the citizenry of a country take up arms against a goverment running toward fascism????

JB

[Amonester]

51. The Civilized World & 57% Hope...

> At what point does the citizenry of a country take up arms against a goverment running toward fascism???? <

Before It's Too Late (Again...)

:eyes:

[cyberpj]

53. You know, I always thought the militias would come out for this fight -

apparently I was wrong - it seems they're content to stay away from fights for Americans against the government turning fascist as long as that government is supporting gun rights and leaving them alone.

That militias should be able to have arms enough to mount a true fight agains the government was the one reason I used to be in support of NRA --- now I believe they only want to protect themselves and aren't worried about what the gov does to the rest of the country.

[phoebe]

52. Why the HELL doesn't one democrat bring up his role in Iran-Contra

where Bolton refused access to documents incriminating GHW Bush/Oliver North et al??

The republicans play dirty all the time..

[cyberpj]

54. I've heard it mentioned ever so slightly in testimony against him -

I don't think enough people remember/understand the whole thing.