McCain Urges Compromise Over Bolton

The New York Times says One of John R. Bolton's leading Republican backers, Senator John McCain of Arizona, signaled his support on Friday for a compromise in which the White House might allow Senate leaders access to highly classified documents in return for a final vote early next month on Mr. Bolton's nomination as United Nations ambassador. This is one of the few moves that McCain has made recently that I see as being honest and about true compromise and not what I usually see in his actions. I have to confess, I look upon him as a media-whore who loves to get headlines. But reading this article, I see this move as a way for the Democrats and the Senate as a whole to get what they wanted. However, it looks as though the White House has different ideas. "The Democrats who are clamoring for this have already voted against John Bolton," Scott McClellan, the White House spokesman, said in a telephone interview. "This is about partisan politics, not documents. They have the information they need." Maybe Scott McClellan should check the facts before he runs off at the mouth because seems that not only do the Dems want these documents, but Senator Frist the Senate Majority Leader of the Presidents' own party has also tried to get these documents. The aide, who would speak only without being identified when discussing conversations between the two leaders, also said Dr. Frist had intervened with the administration to try to get an intelligence briefing that would satisfy opponents of the nomination. So I guess what it boils down to is the one remaining fact that we all suspected all along. This Administration is doing what it has done sine it came to office five years ago. Lie and hide the truth from the American people. Frist, McCain and the Democrats think it is reasonable and right for the White House to turn over the requested documents. What is the White House hiding? That is the question EVERY journalist who has any sense of not only self-respect but respect for his/her profession should be asking right now. Hopefully they will decide to honor their profession and follow through on this question. But given their track record of late I doubt it. Come on ladies and gentlemen of the press all it takes are six little words "What is the White House hiding"?