WP: Lugar Predicts Bolton's Approval

[Pirate Smile]

Lugar Predicts Bolton's Approval
White House Depicts Nomination Battle as Fight Over U.N.'s Future

By Dafna Linzer
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2005; Page A02

The Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee predicted yesterday that John R. Bolton would be approved as the next ambassador to the United Nations, even as Senate Democrats prepared new questions for the controversial nominee.

Committee sources said they are exploring new complaints and accusations against Bolton. His nomination was stalled last week to review allegations that he bullied intelligence analysts, exaggerated foreign threats and sought to remove officials who disagreed with him.

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"A vote for John Bolton is a vote for reform at the United Nations," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. "A vote against him is a vote for the status quo at the United Nations."

President Bush and Senate Republicans indicated they are considering a showdown vote on the Senate floor even if the foreign relations panel does not endorse Bolton.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/27/AR2005042702124.html