No so fast, Chimp
White House may sidestep Democrats on Bolton
WASHINGTON (AP) – Frustrated by Senate Democrats, the White House hinted Monday that President Bush may act soon to sidestep Congress and install embattled nominee John Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations on a temporary basis.
White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Bush has used his power for temporary appointments when “he has to get people in place that have waited far too long to get about doing their business.” He said that “sometimes there’s come a point” when Bush has decided he needs to act. </i>
But there might be a minor snag, such as the notion that he apparently lied when he testified to Congress:
The Times today says that new nominees like Karen Hughes had to disclose any legal proceedings they’d recently been involved in (not sure of the precise wording). That’s how they know she testified before the Plame grand jury. Bolton didn’t disclose; so they took that to mean he hadn’t.
But NBC’s David Shuster reported last night that Bolton had been called to testify. Either someone’s reporting is wrong. Or Bolton failed to disclose that small detail. </i>
If so, he’s toast. Particuarly if he is being investigated- you cannot recess appoint someone involved in a criminal investigation. You know, whoever added that little bit of legalese probably never imagined it might actually come into play.
