Senators Divided on Keeping Bolton as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.

KWAME HOLMAN:

It was a warmer welcome this time around for John Bolton when he appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today. The committee agreed to re-hear his nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, now 11 months after the president gave him the job through a recess appointment.

JOHN BOLTON, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations: For close to a year now, I've had the privilege and honor to serve as the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations.

KWAME HOLMAN:

Even one of his most vocal detractors last year today embraced the idea of the Senate giving Bolton its blessing.

SEN. GEORGE VOINOVICH (R), Ohio: I would also be happy to speak to any of my colleagues about the time I have spent talking to John Bolton in person and on the phone and also about the telephone conversations that I've had with John Bolton's colleagues on his performance at the United Nations.

KWAME HOLMAN:

A year ago, Ohio Republican George Voinovich had called Bolton the wrong choice for the job.

SEN. GEORGE VOINOVICH:

John Bolton is the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should not be.

KWAME HOLMAN:

Voinovich's criticisms were a major factor in the failure of Bolton's nomination last year. But Voinovich may be the only committee member newly won over by the ambassador.

SEN. CHRIS DODD (D), Connecticut: Mr. Chairman, I remain opposed to this nominee. I'd like to explain why.

KWAME HOLMAN:

In his opening statement, Connecticut Democrat Chris Dodd set the tone of the opposition.

SEN. CHRIS DODD:

Mr. Bolton clearly has an aversion, in my view, to being diplomatic or to building consensus for a U.S. position, and that is deeply troubling to me…