John Bolton Finished As UN "Ambassador"

Another one bites the dust, but does it really matter?

Bolton to Leave Post as U.S. Envoy to U.N.

President Bush today ended his efforts to have John R. Bolton confirmed by the Senate as United Nations ambassador and said Mr. Bolton will leave the position, which he has held for the past year after being chosen between Congressional terms, this month.

Mr. Bolton became the ambassador under a recess appointment made by President Bush, bypassing the usual requirement of Senate confirmation after Democrats blocked a floor vote on the nomination. Because it was a recess appointment, Mr. Bolton’s term expires when the current Congress ends its term later this month.

Mr. Bush had planned to push for confirmation during the current lame-duck session of the Republican Congress, which would have allowed him to continue as ambassador. But today’s announcement suggests that the White House realized it was not going to receive the necessary votes.

Now here's where it gets confusing.

President Bush said that he accepted “with deep regret” Mr. Bolton’s decision to end his service.

“I am deeply disappointed that a handful of United States Senators prevented Ambassador Bolton from receiving the up or down vote he deserved in the Senate,” Mr. Bush said.

So, whose decision was it? Bolton's or the Senate's? The so-called president doesn't seem to know. Big surprise.

“They chose to obstruct his confirmation, even though he enjoys majority support in the Senate, and even though their tactics will disrupt our diplomatic work at a sensitive and important time.”

Mr. Bush, who is expected to meet with Mr. Bolton later today, said in his statement that this “stubborn obstructionism ill serves our country, and discourages men and women of talent from serving their nation.”

Actually, sir, "stubborn obstructionism" serves our country very well in my opinion (which -- ha ha! -- seems to be the majority). This would be a good time for "stubborn obstructionism" to become the special of the day, every day.

I'll have some stubborn obstructionism, please.

Again?

Yes! And super-size it for me, will you? Thanks!

There's just one catch, of course: there a plenty of other goons around, some even worse. It won't be hard for the so-called president to find another so-called diplomat who will be happy to fill the role.