On Monday, Mr. Bush will face another test of his clout, when the Republican-controlled Senate tries again to overcome Democratic opposition and confirm John R. Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations.
It looks like he's going to lose this one. He was practically begging the Senate to actually vote on this, but it looks like the Democrats are going to continue to filibuster. Bush needs 60 senate votes to stop that, and most indications are that he hasn't got them.
That leaves Bush either appointing Bolton in recess once the Senate breaks for the summer, a poor choice because it makes Bolton damaged goods and he'll still need approval when the Senate sits again, or Bush loses.
This looks doubly bad for Bush because the Democrats are filibustering in an attempt to get information about who Bolton intercepted messages from and if Bolton then took action against those people. Bush has that information, so his refusal to release it to the Democrats makes it look like he's hiding something...which he likely is.
My guess is that Bolton will quit. That will save at least some face for Bush. Bolton will then be hired on in some sort of patronage position where he doesn't need Senate approval...which will also look bad for Bush. It's a political mess for the Bushites. :lol: