John Kerry Obstructs Mark Green's Nomination

The Democrats are doing everything they can to shut down the Bush presidency.

The despicable loser John Kerry placed a hold on former Wisconsin congressman Mark Green's nomination to be ambassador to Tanzania.

When President Bush nominated Green, this is what Russ Feingold had to say:

“I congratulate Mark Green and his family on his nomination to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania. Mark is well qualified for this position and I intend to support his nomination. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, I believe Mark would preserve and strengthen the longstanding relationship between the United States and Tanzania, which is increasingly important to Tanzania’s political and economic development, as well as regional security.”

Even the radical Leftist Feingold had the decency to acknowledge Green's qualifications for the position and pledge his support.

Kerry, on the other hand, has decided to refuse to allow Green's nomination to move forward.

Why?

According to an aide, Kerry's lame excuse for putting the hold on the nomination was because Green was a political appointee rather than a career foreign service officer.

Washington -- Mark Green's nomination as ambassador to Tanzania appeared in jeopardy Friday because of opposition from Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

..."There is no further action expected on this nomination," the aide said.

In other words, Kerry killed Green's nomination.

...Green, 47, a Republican from Green Bay, served eight years in the House of Representatives, ending in January.

...While in Congress, Green paid visits to Africa, and 20 years ago, he and his wife were volunteer teachers in Kenya.

Green may not be a Foreign Service officer, but there's no question that he's uniquely qualified to serve as ambassador to Tanzania. Absolutely no question about that at all.

Kerry's "hold" is totally unwarranted.

It's a purely political "hold."

As of April, there were 156 U.S. ambassadors, 65% of them career Foreign Service officers and 35% of them political appointees, the State Department said.

If approved, Green would replace the current ambassador, Michael Retzer, also a political appointee. Retzer took his oath of office in August 2005.

Kerry sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The committee approved Green's nomination on June 27, meaning it was destined for consideration in the full Senate, but Kerry put the hold on the next day, his aide said.

What a cheap, spiteful move by Kerry!

Really disgusting!

...A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had no immediate comment.

I can guess what Reid would say.

"Good job, Kerry."

...White House spokesman Alex Conant said Green was not the only person whose nomination to an ambassadorship was being held up. "These are well-qualified individuals who will do an excellent job representing the nation," Conant said. "All of our nominees deserve a fair, up-or-down vote."

As usual, the Democrats are the Party of NO, continuing their pattern of obstruction.

...At a June 19 hearing, which Feingold led, the senator heralded Green's genuine and continued interest in Africa, and he called the nomination a "wise appointment on part of the administration."

On Friday, Feingold said that Green was "well qualified," and that he hoped the hold on the nomination would be released soon so Green could be confirmed as soon as possible.

"There is no good reason to delay this nomination," Feingold said.

Translation: Kerry is being unreasonable.

This isn't the first hold placed on Green's nomination.

Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd placed a hold on the nomination June 27 because of a flap involving Retzer and the head of the Peace Corps in Tanzania. That hold was lifted the next day.

Dodd, a former Peace Corps volunteer, said in lifting the hold that he was confident Green "will be a welcome alternative to his predecessor."

If presidential candidate Chris Dodd can back Green, certainly Kerry can quit obstructing Bush.

What is Kerry's problem?

I don't get why he would cross Feingold this way. After all, they joined forces for their measure on troop withdrawal from Iraq. I thought Feingold and Kerry were allies.

Guess not.

In spite of Kerry's disgraceful obstruction, there is still a chance that Green will serve as ambassador.

It's within Bush's power to bypass the Senate and advance Green's nomination as a recess appointment, which he could do as early as August.

I strongly urge President Bush to go the same route that he used to get John Bolton to be ambassador to the United Nations. He should do a recess appointment.

Other than Kerry, there's nothing holding back Green's nomination.

Bush should do what's right and appoint Green.

Not only would he be sending a qualified individual to Tanzania to serve as ambassador, but he also would be sending a message to Kerry.

Kerry is not the president.