A Bolt-On Solution
Not to be too cute with the syntax, but it looks as if George Bush is going to make John Bolton a recess appointment as Ambassador to the U.N. If you can’t get a nominee confirmed, then bolt on whatever you can, seems to be the president’s approach, no matter how messy the carpentry.
Bad thinking, for a bunch of reasons:
The ability to make recess appointments was designed to allow important jobs to be filled when Congress is not in session. Meant to stop-gap vacancies created by death or resignation, it’s stretching the intent of the law to use it for a blocked nomination. Having said that, of course it’s been done before by other presidents.
Bolton is not only controversial in this country. The entire U.N. membership follows America’s ambassadorial selections very closely and they don’t like this one, not because he’s tough . . . there are a number of members who agree that tough is what’s needed right now . . . but because he’s ham-handed, arrogant and listens to no one in the purs…