WASHINGTON, April 12 (UPI) -- A former high-ranking intelligence official attacked John Bolton Tuesday as an abusive screamer who attempted to intimidate other state department officers.
During the second day of hearings on Bolton's nomination to become ambassador to the United Nations, Carl Ford, a self-described loyal conservative Republican and former chief of the State Department's Intelligence and Research division, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bolton abused his power with lower ranking intelligence officers.
During two hours of potentially damaging testimony, Ford laid out a blistering critique of the nominee, describing Bolton as a "kiss-up, kick-down sort of guy" who abused his power "with little people."
With committee Democrats rallying against Bolton, Ford described how Bolton abused analysts who disagreed with his views on the biological weapons capabilities of Cuba, as well as the capabilities of Iran and other nations.
Bolton Monday denied ever having attempted to fire any analysts who disagreed with him, admitting to only having lost trust in them.
Ford's views are not likely to affect Bolton's nomination.
Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, whose vote on the committee could tip the scales against Bolton, said Tuesday that, despite the testimony, he remains inclined to support the nomination.
