White House Fears Bolton Nomination Will Fail

The UN is in trouble -- thanks to the ineffectual and/or willfully corrupt Koffi Anan -- and desperately needs reforming. Unfortunately, instead of finding a diplomat that can further that agenda, the White House is trying to install a firebrand who has proven about as undiplomatic in style as is imaginable. Now the White House admits Bolton's nomination is in serious trouble.

But the criticism of Bolton is not that he's a "tough" or "mean" or even "jerky" boss. He is seriously accused by career government employees and conservatives (and of course liberals) as a serial abuser of power, a man who tried to force intelligence employees to DISTORT their findings to further a particular agenda (well, no wonder the White House had no problem with that), with trying to FIRE career agents simply because they refused to do so and smearing anyone who got in his way. Serious questions have also been raised about Bolton abusing intelligence information access to dig up dirt on other government officials.

Besides, what if the only charge against Bolton was that he physically harassed women, chasing them down hallways and threatening them? Maybe Dick Cheney thinks that's just being a good boss, but most of us don't find such behavior amusing or acceptable or Christian. Why does he?