WASHINGTON — America's combative U.N. ambassador, John R. Bolton, launched a second campaign to win full Senate approval Thursday, saying he had done his best "to work with others to advance our national interests" during his year at the world body.
"I do believe important advances have been made," he said during a 3 1/2 -hour hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Senate Democrats blocked a vote on Bolton's confirmation last year, after one of the most divisive debates over a presidential nomination in recent memory.
Bolton's critics at that time cast him as a smart but inflexible ideologue with few people skills, who screamed at subordinates. His backers argued he was just the man to shake up a lethargic, bureaucracy-heavy United Nations. After Congress adjourned for last summer's break, President Bush appointed Bolton using his authority to fill open jobs while Congress is in recess -- an assignment that expires with the Senate term, in January.
Now the White House is trying again for a permanent appointment.
The Foreign Relations Committee could vote on the nomination as early as next week. But Democrats are expected to ask for a delay, and a floor vote by the full Senate is not expected before September.
Though Republicans and Democrats appeared as divided as ever over Bolton, Thursday's hearing lacked the tension and animosity of last year's sessions. The only real drama came when two members of the public shouted anti-Bolton remarks. They were escorted from the room.
Most Republicans either praised the envoy or asked questions that let Bolton talk of his achievements.
Bolton cited such successes during his tenure as a unanimous Security Council resolution condemning North Korea's recent test-firing of ballistic missiles and demanding it suspend the missile program.
Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) predicted confirmation because Bolton was a key member of Bush's foreign policy team: "I do believe, without any reservation whatsoever, that the Senate will and should give that advice and consent to this nominee because he becomes an integral member of the president's national security team at a time when our nation is faced with these many complex issues." Warner is not a member of the Foreign Relations Committee.
