Feingold the Lemming

Contrary to Russ Feingold's maverick reputation, he's resembling a lemming in regard to the John Bolton nomination.

The Dems are falling in line and getting ready for what Chris Dodd promises will be a "bruising fight" when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee takes up whether to recommend that the full Senate vote to confirm Bolton.

I think the dems are still stinging from Bush's recess appointment of John Bolton.

They, along with RINOs like George Voinovich, refused to give Bolton a vote in the Senate last summer.

Now, it will be much, much more difficult for Dems to demonize Bolton and cast doubts about his qualifications, since he has shown that he's a stellar U.S. ambassador at the UN.

But, like on virtually everything else, the Party of No feels compelled to go against the President. They prefer to score some political points with their hard Left base rather than admit that President Bush made an excellent choice when he picked Bolton.

Instead of showing some good sense and integrity, Feingold has decided to play politics and follow his fellow Dems by blasting Bolton.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two days before a key Senate hearing on re-nominating John Bolton as U.N. ambassador, Sen. Russ Feingold said Bolton hasn't been up to the job so far.

..."In nearly twelve months on the job, Ambassador John Bolton has failed to demonstrate the leadership and diplomacy that are needed at this critical time," Feingold said Tuesday in a statement issued to The Associated Press.

"We need to make the U.N. more effective and more accountable, but real reform requires U.S. leadership, not just the brinksmanship that Ambassador Bolton has practiced."

With all due respect, that's pure political trash. Bolton has been a spectacular ambassador.

Given the sorry state of the corrupt and impotent UN, Bolton has been exceptional during his time there, accomplishing a great deal and serving the country admirably.

"Ambassador Bolton is doing an excellent job at the U.N. during very challenging times," said White House spokesman Alex Conant. "Senators are seeing the fruits of John Bolton's labor and so we're seeing stronger support for his nomination. We're hopeful that other senators will be open to taking a new look."

In his statement, Feingold didn't say how he would vote, but he also didn't describe any change of heart.

The Dems aren't open to taking a new look. I think they'll be even more abusive to Bolton this time around because they've been shown to have been so very wrong about him.

As for Feingold, he won't have a change of heart. The only way that might happen is for Lefty bloggers to tell him to have a change of heart. He'll jump through any hoops to please the Left.

Lately, he seems unable to make a move without getting the radical Left's approval first. Every move he makes is about 2008.

"I look forward to questioning Ambassador Bolton when he testifies before the Foreign Relations Committee this week, but his performance to date raises serious questions about his fitness for this position," Feingold said.

Translation:

I look forward to grandstanding, mugging for the cameras, and grilling Ambassador Bolton when he testifies before the Foreign Relations Commitee this week, but due to my stubborn, pig-headed, self-centered, politically opportunistic streak, I will do my best to rip him to shreds because his skillful performance to date raises serious questions about my judgment and fitness to be president.
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Read Amity Shlaes' column, "John Bolton Is the Best Friend the UN Ever Had."