The latest fallout from the 2006 mid-terms:

Unable to win Senate confirmation, U.N. Ambassador John Bolton will step down when his temporary appointment expires within weeks, the White House said Monday.

[...]

President Bush, in a statement, said he was “deeply disappointed that a handful of United States senators prevented Ambassador Bolton from receiving the up or down vote he deserved in the Senate.”

“They chose to obstruct his confirmation, even though he enjoys majority support in the Senate, and even though their tactics will disrupt our diplomatic work at a sensitive and important time,” Bush said. “This stubborn obstructionism ill serves our country, and discourages men and women of talent from serving their nation.”

I agree with Gaius at Blue Crab Boulevard who said,

This is a genuine loss for the US. Bolton was one of the few people standing up against the worst excesses of that corrupt UN bureaucracy that has become almost completely useless in recent years.

That is so very true.

Then there is the usual garbage from the usual suspects:

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass, said Bolton’s departure could be a turning point for the administration.

“With the Middle East on the verge of chaos and the nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea increasing, we need a United Nations ambassador who has the full support of Congress and can help rally the international community to tackle the serious threats we face,” Kerry said. He said it was an opportunity for Bush to nominate an ambassador “who enjoys the support necessary to unite our country and the world and who can put results ahead of ideology.”

Which is, of course, a typical Kerry load of crapolla, as Chad Evans noticed as well.

Bolton had results. He nailed the face of the UN every time he spoke of it. It’s Kerry and his team who were putting ideology ahead of results, something he accuses Bolton of doing. Name one time he did so during his tenure in the UN, Mr. Kerry.

The President had a more accurate assessment of Ambassador Bolton’s too short tenure.

“During his tenure, he articulately advocated the positions and values of the United States and advanced the expansion of democracy and liberty.

“Ambassador Bolton led the successful negotiations that resulted in unanimous Security Council resolutions regarding North Korea’s military and nuclear activities. He built consensus among our allies on the need for Iran to suspend the enrichment and reprocessing of uranium,” Bush added. “His efforts to promote the cause of peace in Darfur resulted in a peacekeeping commitment by the United Nations. He made the case for United Nations reform because he cares about the institution, and wants it to become more credible and effective.”

Sister Toldjah’s reaction is also dead on:

He will be missed, not by the people who think we should play nice with evil, but by the people who believe evil should be called for what it is.

Other commentary of note:

Blogs for Bush (Matt Margolis)

Bolton served honorably, and Democrats were so unwilling to admit they were wrong about him that they blocked his nomination without just cause…again.. What did Republicans do? Did they force Democrats into a real filibuster? Nope. They let Bolton go without a fight. Well, until they are ready to fight, we should just leave the post vacant.

Democrats have killed bipartisanship in the new Congress before officially taking control as the majority.

Michelle Malkin

We are losing a staunch, devoted defender of America’s interests at the U.N.

Hugh Hewitt (Dean Barnett)

Bolton was a voice of moral clarity at a time and place where there haven’t been many. It is a sad day when such a voice has been silenced.

SoCalPundit (Kevin Korenthal)

John Bolton was an effective advocate for reform in the U.N. and he stood up for the U.S. in a time when many want America’s power ceded to a corrupt and ineffective United Nations Security Council.

Still More:
Iowa Voice (Brian)
Right Truth (Debbie)
Wizbang (Jay Tea)
Stop The ACLU (Jay) A tremendous number of links to others commenting can be found at Jay’s post.

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Tags: John Bolton, Politics, Senate, The Left, UN