Ramblings' Journal

If recess appointments are so bad, why did Bubba make so many?

Democrats are wringing their hands over the recess appointment of John Bolton as UN Ambassador by President Bush yesterday.

Members of the Senate have delayed and deferred votes on Bolton's confirmation for months, citing Bolton's "bull in a china shop" method of diplomacy. Just Sunday, Senator Christopher Dodd (Moonbat-CT) called Bolton "damaged goods."

Bush's decision to appoint Bolton without a confirmation vote was denounced by Democrats, who predicted it would undermine the diplomat's credibility at the U.N. and create more partisan rancor on Capitol Hill. Bolton's sharp tongue and direct style have alienated some subordinates, but enchanted many conservatives.

"At a time when we need to reassert our diplomatic power in the world, President Bush has decided to send a seriously flawed and weakened candidate to the United Nations," said Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada. On Sunday, Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) called Bolton "damaged goods."

But there were no signs Monday that Democrats would respond to the appointment by taking action against other Bush nominees, such as his choice of John G. Roberts Jr. for the Supreme Court.

Dodd appeared this morning on the various morning news shows denouncing the practice of recess appointments entirely, calling their use by President Bush an abuse of Constitutional power.

Funny thing though, Bush has made a total of 110 recess appointments. His immediate Oval Office predecessor, Bill Clinton, made 140 recess appointments during his two terms in office. That doesn't sound like much of an abuse to me -- that is unless Senator Dodd thinks Bubba abused the power as well.

Posted by mhking at August 2, 2005 08:46 AM | TrackBack