LAT: GOP Support for Bolton Might Be Wavering [View All]

[DeepModem Mom]

GOP Support for Bolton Might Be Wavering
By Sonni Efron, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska signaled Friday that his support for the nomination of John R. Bolton as U.N. ambassador was wavering after new reports that Bolton ordered an intelligence analyst removed from his job.

The analyst, a U.S. State Department employee who now works on Hagel's Senate staff, is the third intelligence analyst who was reported to have been threatened or intimidated by Bolton, who has served since 2001 as undersecretary of State for arms control and international security.

"Sen. Hagel is likely to be supportive (of Bolton) but he needs to be assured there are not additional serious areas of concern," Hagel spokesman Mike Buttry said Friday, adding Hagel was "troubled" by the new information.

Posing potential new problems, Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are investigating as many as five additional incidents in which Bolton's demeanor toward State Department subordinates has been questioned, according to Senate staffers from both parties. In a confirmation hearing earlier this week, testimony indicated Bolton demanded the removal of two intelligence analysts who disagreed with him.

Amid the developments, Hagel's remarks served as a warning that Bolton's confirmation, which had been considered assured, could falter if Democrats succeed in producing more evidence against Bolton....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bolton16apr16,0,3939442.story?coll=la-home-nation