Democrats pick on Bush's
choice for U.N. ambassador

< Prev | 1 | 2

NBC Video: Politics

Obama looks to match businesses, banks
Dec. 22: President Barack Obama says that 'there are businesses out there that are ready to grow' and hire again if they can get the capital they need as the nation emerges from recession.

The year of the lobbyists

Fixing the government’s financial system

Fight to the finish on health care

Sanders: Insurance, drug companies will make out like bandits

House Democrat to switch parties

Gibbs takes a shot at Steele's speeches

A holiday truce in the Senate?

Slideshow

The Week in Political Cartoons
Msnbc.com’s political cartoonists take a look back at the past week.

more photos

INTERACTIVE

World power
A look at the United Nations

Democrats, Republicans weigh in
In Washington, Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee assailed Bolton.

Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut said Bolton’s “antipathy to the U.N. will prevent him from effectively discharging his duties as our ambassador.” And Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said: “Quite simply, Mr. Bolton’s nomination carries with it baggage we cannot afford.”

Republican Sen. George Allen of Virginia praised Bolton as “just the kind of man we need to represent the United States at the United Nations” because he will scrutinize its actions and expenditures.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Other Republicans on the committee were far more reserved.

Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., said in a statement: “I have been assured that he will bring a more balanced approach to his new role.” Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., told reporters that he wanted to see whether Bolton has the skills to deal with an institution riddled with scandals. “It needs reform. It needs reform badly, and to just go up there and kick the United Nations around doesn’t get the job done,” Hagel said.

Known for a hard-edged approach, Bolton’s previous comments about troublesome foreign issues and regimes have been far from diplomatic.

In a strongly worded speech in Tokyo last month, Bolton lashed out at China for not stopping its munitions companies from selling missile technology to Iran and other nations the United States considers rogue states.

Two years ago, Bolton denounced North Korean leader Kim Jong Il as a “tyrannical dictator” and described life under the ruler as “a hellish nightmare.”

Furious, a North Korean spokesman fired back that “such human scum and bloodsucker” would be closed out of negotiations over the country’s nuclear weapons program.

< Prev | 1 | 2