WASHINGTON, April 19 (UPI) -- In a surprising move, a Republican controlled Senate panel delayed a vote Tuesday on the nomination of U.N. ambassador-designate John Bolton.
Although expected to be approved going into the afternoon meeting and despite efforts to push his nomination through, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar, R-Ind., reluctantly succumbed to pressure from Democrats to delay the vote when it became clear he did not currently have the support needed to approve Bolton.
Bolton's critics received the unexpected reprieve because of indications from Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, that he was in favor of delaying the vote on Bolton's nomination to further investigate allegations regarding Bolton's treatment of subordinates and co-workers.
Although they have problems with his ultra-conservative ideology and dismissive attitude toward the United Nations, criticism of Bolton in Congress has, among Democrats, centers on charges Bolton does not have the right temperament for the job.
"I don't feel comfortable today voting on Mr. John Bolton," said Voinovich. "Maybe it would make sense to take a little more time. I think we all ought to get some more information before we vote him out of committee."
