WisPolitics Budget Blog

Before voting begins sometime later today in committee on the confirmation of John Bolton, once on the floor of the Senate, I'll predict Bolton is confirmed as US Ambassador to the United Nations.

Although I am quietly rooting against Bolton for purely selfish reasons -- our family friend Rich Williamson (former Reagan and Bush 43 appointee) is on a short list to be nominated if Bolton is rejected -- I can't see the conservatives bailing on a former American Enterprise Institute scholar.

The rest of the Republican majority should also stick with Bush, except perhaps those wacky Republicans in Maine and Rhode Island (both states where I have worked campaigns).

Last time Bolton faced a confirmation vote 43 Senators opposed him; more than those who opposed John Ashcroft as Attorney General. But this time, Tom Daschle is not whipping favors from his caucus, and the lack of leadership among Senate Democrats is telling.

So the math seems to indicate a few New England Republicans will pair their opposition votes with support from a few Southern Democrats who are closer in philosophy to former N.C. Senator Jesse Helms, who once said;

Bolton is the kind of man with whom I would want to stand at Armageddon.

Bolton will be confirmed with 53 votes.