John Bolton's days as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations appear to be numbered as the Senate Foreign Relations committee is deadlocked over allowing an up or down vote on his faltering nomination.
A tie vote is the same as a 'no' vote; Republicans had the upper hand until Senator Chafee lost his re-election bid on Tuesday and decided the election results were a mandate for change on how business is being done in Washington. He made up his mind about supporting the nomination of Bolton in that spirit, which created a tie in the committee. The incoming Democratic majority leadership called further discussion of a Bolton nomination as "pointless" so his candidacy is all but dead.
This is not an altogether bad thing; Bolton had a reputation for being an abusive boss before; he has a reputation at the U.N. as being confrontational; diplomacy is about building consensus and Bolton doesn't help his own cause with his tactics. This was not a good choice to begin with; hopefully President Bush will nominate someone who is better suited to the position.
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