Another Bolton Vote Coming

Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said yesterday that he will try to increase the pressure by scheduling another vote to end the debate, possibly tomorrow. The Washington Post is reporting: "The only way we're going to get there is have another cloture vote to demonstrate that the other side is unreasonably and irresponsibly filibustering this nominee," Frist told reporters. Tom (cat-killer) Frist may have problems however, since it seems he is loosing votes faster than he can skin another feline. Even though some Republicans expressed dismay that the effort to confirm Bolton, an outspoken conservative who has sharply criticized the United Nations, remains so difficult. Critics have cited his beratings of State Department subordinates who differed with him, but the most recent sticking point has been legitimate Democratic requests for documents concerning Bolton's work activities. But one of the three Democrats who sided with them on an unsuccessful "cloture" vote on May 26, Sen. Mark Pryor (Ark.), said he may abandon the Republicans, leaving them farther from their goal than they were three weeks ago. If Democrats "continue being reasonable [in their requests] and the White House won't provide the information, I want to reserve the right to change my vote," Pryor told reporters. There is the crux of the matter right there. It is not only his boorish attitude and his criticism of the UN in the past. It basically comes down to the fact that Bush and his gang of fascist thugs refuse to give legitimately requested documents to the Senate. Harry Reid and the Democrats appear to be holding together on this issue, and letting Bush know he DOES NOT have the final say on what documents the Senate can or cannot have. "As long as the White House is not allowing the information to come forward, there's going to be no change in the vote," Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said yesterday. Pressing the point even further, Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), had this to say "They're filibustering their own nominee," Dodd said. White House compliance with the Democrats' requests, he said, would quickly lead to a confirmation vote in which Bolton would need a simple majority in the 100-member Senate. Republicans hold 55 seats. and was backed up by Sen. Richard J. Durbin (Ill.), the chamber's second-ranking Democrat, when he said: "Instead of calling a vote, [Frist] should call the White House. Because if they will produce the basic information which [Bolton] and his staff had access to . . . it's the end of the controversy. Clearly, there is something in those documents which is so damaging to Bolton, they don't want to release it." Well let the Repugs go ahead and call them "obstructionists" they should wear the label proudly. It is obvious the White House has something to hide here, and the Senate should not quit until they either find out what it is or the Bolton nomination is completely shut down and withdrawn. MORE....