Dean: Bolton Appointment Another 'Abuse of Power'

[sabra]

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http://press.arrivenet.com/pol/article.php/676839.html

Dean: Bolton Appointment Another 'Abuse of Power'

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, in an unprecedented move, President Bush announced that he would use a recess appointment to install his embattled nominee John Bolton as Ambassador to the United Nations -- over the objection of Senate Democrats and many Republicans. The appointment comes amid unanswered questions regarding Bolton's involvement in an ongoing State Department probe about the use of false intelligence.

Bush's decision to circumvent bipartisan opposition to Bolton is another example of the White House's willingness to abuse their power and silence critics in an effort to reward loyal political allies, even at the expense of America's international stature and national security. Bolton has aroused significant bipartisan opposition in the Senate because the White House repeatedly stonewalled specific, legitimate requests from senators for access to Bolton's employment records at the White House and the State Department. Bolton attracted greater criticism last week when it was revealed that he had failed to report on his Senate questionnaire that he was questioned by the State Department Inspector General probing the use of false intelligence data in the run-up to the Iraq war.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement and sharply criticized President Bush's recess appointment of Bolton to the United Nations:

"In a truly arrogant move, President Bush abused his power by refusing to provide documents to answer legitimate questions about John Bolton and our national security, and his use of the recess appointment for one of the most important and sensitive posts in international diplomacy is troubling," said Dean. "Bolton is the next in a line of Bush nominees who have had their integrity called into question because of this President's continuing failure to fulfill his constitutional obligation to be honest and forthright with the Senate and the American people. By moving unilaterally to overrule the Senate and appoint a nominee who is being dogged by significant questions about his integrity on intelligence matters, Bush has reduced our nation's ability to cooperate with our allies on the war on terror."


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[longship]

1. Kick

:kick:

[Rose Siding]

2. "truly arrogant", "continuing failure...to be honest"

"reduced our nation's ability"

Yep

[wildflower]

3. What happened to the Dems' "parliamentary option"?

Did they try to do it?

(See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4227040 )

[Montauk6]

4. Why not simply appoint Roberts then?

What the hell's the point of "advice and consent" anyway if the President can simply wait for recess?

[endarkenment]

14. He could do that.

Look it up: Ike appointed three SC justices through recess appointments.

[Flying Dream Blues]

5. Another day, another abuse of power.

I applaud Dean for speaking up, but shouldn't there be mass indignation over this? Should there even be any question about whether or not Dems should filibuster Roberts and any other thing they can? It's what we've been reduced to, it's all we've got, until people are ready to do whatever it takes to bring about a change.

[Eloriel]

12. Nah, I heard a "reporter" on MSNBC

doing a little editorial on how common recess appointments are, and how much "right" Bush had to use it. Clinton appointed a bunch, so that makes it okay. (Nevermind the REASON Clinton appointed a bunch, which was Repug obstructionism and failure to move on so many of his nominees.)

[spindoctor]

6. No, it is another raised middle finger from our beloved President

"Fuck y'awl! I said it b'fore, things would be much easier if I were a dictater. Who needs a parlemant anyway? The free people of the great country of the United States elected ME to be their King."

Who's up for a revolution?

[Robbins]

10. Dean

He Is totally right here. Give them hell DR. But,like a great
Missourian said "I don't give them hell. I just tell the truth,and
the think it's hell":) And on Bolton Bush claims you need a reformer
at the UN. Even if that Is true a liar like Bolton Is the last one
to take the job. And Bolton Is representing the US now at the UN not
running It. Junior must not have been told that:D

[JRob]

7. Go get 'em Howard! kick

[flyarm]

8. WTF..THE DEMS GIVE * WHATEVER HE WANTS...

and they expect * to not abuse power??

why dont the dems just lay down and let * steal the last dimes in our pockets...and screw us all the way to the bank..then take all our kids for his perpetual wars...hell the whole infrastructure of this country is falling apart..we have no freaking media..and the dems just lay down and play footsy with * whenever the freaking criminal wants them to..

i am sick of both dang parties..we dont have a party..we have nothing but a bunch of wimps..gutless wimps!

well *hy..needed to get plame and wilson off the front pages..so how about bolton..now our media will make him into cinderella..and the dems will cower to their corners..

i am disgusted!

[madfloridian]

9. Blame the congressional dems. Dean does not fit in that category.

Let's get it straight.

[flyarm]

11. yes thats what i meant..

last week the dems in congress gave * a good week..its all i heard on the sunday talk shows..what a good week * had..well i for one am disgusted..dlc in congress....go to hell!!
honestly what has dlc done for us but destroy this party??
can anyone tell me what they have done thats good??

other than to support *es fascism??

[tavalon]

17. Okay, now

I'm not saying Dems haven't been spineless but what about this one is their fault? Bush just circumvented them, completely. There was nothing they could do differently in this situation.

[quisp]

13. Howard Dean speaks for me!

[bigwillq]

15. Thanks Howard!

You rock, man!:bounce:

[Borgnine]

16. Having Dean out there...

...always gives me a little tinge of hope that we're not totally doomed.

[deacon]

18. And it really REALLY is and a sign of incredible weakness too

It shows further the disregard for the law. First with his somewhat care free acceptance that rove lied to him and now appointing a guy that is part of an investigation about false intelligence.

An immense sign of weakness and portraying himself as one who tolerates treason and lying about testifying.

He has only made his circle smaller.