One of the more disgraceful recent instances of political obstructionism was the Senate's refusal to confirm the superbly qualified and eloquent John Bolton as ambassador to the UN. The President for forced to use an interim appointment to temporarily bypass the Senate. That interim appointment will soon expire. Ohio Republican Senator George Voinovich was one of the few Republicans to join those blocking Ambassador Bolton's appointment. He has now issued a not—quite mea culpa in the Washington Post, indicating that Bolton has grown in office and now would receive his support. My original concerns about Bolton involved his interpersonal skills. Also of concern was his reputation for straying off message and a tendency to "go it alone" instead of working to build consensus with his colleagues. I have met and spoken regularly with him since his appointment, discussing my hope that the United States would indeed build such a consensus at the United Nations and work with our...(Read Full Post)