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Bush, George W.

Bush and McCain Defend Nominee Bolton Amid New Charges and Delay

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Bush and key Senator John McCain have expressed strong support for the embattled nominee to be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, despite new allegations of misconduct. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has temporarily delayed a vote on Bolton's nomination, citing concerns over his treatment of subordinates and a recent charge that he misled the committee. In a speech to insurance agents, President Bush praised Bolton's career and service, calling him "a good man" whose "distinguished career and service to our nation demonstrates that he is the right man at the right time for this important assignment." Senator McCain also spoke out in favor of Bolton, saying he had "not seen a pattern of inappropriate conduct" by the nominee.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Bush and Senator McCain have expressed strong support for John Bolton, despite new allegations of misconduct.
  • The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has delayed a vote on Bolton's nomination, citing concerns over his treatment of subordinates and a charge that he misled the committee.
  • Witnesses, including former State Department intelligence chief Carl Ford, have accused Bolton of verbally abusing subordinates.
  • A new charge alleges that Bolton misled the committee when he testified on April 11, stating that U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Thomas Hubbard, praised him for a speech that called North Korean leader Kim Jong Il a "tyrannical dictator."
  • Bolton's speech was criticized by the North Koreans, who called him "human scum."
  • Bolton's nomination has been temporarily delayed, with Committee Chairman Richard Lugar, R-Ind., agreeing to a delay to give senators more time to examine charges against the nominee.

Statistics:

  • Bolton has been accused of verbally abusing subordinates by at least two witnesses, including former State Department intelligence chief Carl Ford.
  • The charge that Bolton misled the committee on April 11 was revealed in evidence presented to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong Il was called a "tyrannical dictator" by Bolton in a speech delivered in Seoul in 2003.
  • Bolton's nomination has been delayed, with a new vote potentially scheduled for the week of May 9.

Sources:

  • "Bush and McCain Defend Bolton Amid New Charges" by Richard Benedetto (available through the Associated Press)
  • "Senate Panel Delays Bolton Vote" by Andy Fisher (spokesman for Committee Chairman Richard Lugar)
  • The Washington Post
  • The New York Times
  • The Associated Press

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