Senate Panel Postpones Vote on U.N. Nominee

Big drama yesterday on Bolton....

Then Senator George Voinovich, a Republican from Ohio—who had been AWOL during the hearings—suddenly announced that he would not "feel comfortable" voting for Bolton just yet. That meant that if the vote went forward, Bolton's nomination would die. Suddenly, Republicans agreed a delay would be wise.

"My conscience got me," Voinovich explains in the NYT.

Two other Republican senators on the committee, Chafee and Hagel, seemed to smile on the change of events. "I think the charges are serious enough that they demand, or cry out, for further examination," said Hagel. Chafee added, "The dynamic has changed. It's a new day." Neither announced they're changing their committee votes.

The LAT quotes a GOP strategist saying Voinovich's move is a sign of things to come. Republican moderates are "starting to stand up and be counted—and to rebel." said the operative. "They are tired of being strong-armed."

The Wall Street Journal mentions that an organization dedicated to "getting the U.N. of the USA" has said it will start running anti-Voinovich ads.



Liberal Oasis has this:

At one point, Sen. Joe Biden said:

In your heart, you know this guy doesn't deserve to go to the U.N....

...This time, follow your heart, not your head. Follow your heart on here, because your head's going to tell you to be really practical and don't screw around with the president's nominee.

And would you believe it, Voinovich actually listened, saying “I feel the passion” from the Dems.

(Is any other example in history where the “follow your heart” tack actually worked?!)


The New York Times > Washington > Senate Panel Postpones Vote on U.N. Nominee