John Bolton is looking to be another casualty of the Democrats' takeover of Congress, and at the rate they are going, the Democrats are going to be more divisive than they claimed George Bush to be. Gone is the "kumbayah" feeling of just days ago when President Bush and Nancy Pelosi had their first meeting since the election. In the ensuing days, Pelosi has endorsed an ethically challenged uber-liberal to be House majority leader, and now the Senate is getting ready to throw John Bolton under the bus, despite an admirable record at the U.N. His recess appointment expires in January, and it is likely that a vote to confirm him either will not happen or will not go his way.

Editorials across the country today are urging for Bolton's confirmation. The New York Post, both Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune, and the Wall Street Journal, among others, are urging his confirmation in their pages today, with the Wall Street Journal adding, "The opposition to Mr. Bolton is based on nothing save vindictiveness." And with good reason. Bolton's performance in the U.N. has been considerably impressive. From the Chicago Tribune, October 26, 2006:

In his 15 months as ambassador, Bolton has negotiated with other members of the Security Council to win unanimous or near-unanimous votes on such divisive issues as North Korea, Lebanon and the Darfur region of Sudan. The council also unanimously recommended Ban Ki Moon of South Korea, a U.S. ally, to be the next secretary general.

The council approved an Aug. 31 deadline for Iran to stop enriching uranium. With that deadline well-past, Iran figures to be the subject of the next major resolution that Bolton will have to shepherd through the 15-member council. Discussions about what should go in that resolution are under way..

"I think he's done very well in the Security Council and dealing with the other major powers," said Edward Luck, a Columbia University international affairs professor and former head of the United Nations Association of the USA, which works to build American support for the UN.

Despite this performance, the Senate seems prepared to close out the term without confirming Bolton's appointment. They are cutting and running from this issue, both Republicans and Democrats. Still, there are signs of hope. Many who were opposed to Bolton at first have been swayed by his performance and, if a vote is able to take place, they will vote to confirm him. George Voinovich (R-OH), a member of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, wrote this in the Washington Post, July 20, 2006:

Ambassador Bolton's appointment expires this fall when the Senate officially recesses. Should the president choose to renominate him, I cannot imagine a worse message to send to the terrorists -- and to other nations deciding whether to engage in this effort -- than to drag out a possible renomination process or even replace the person our president has entrusted to lead our nation at the United Nations at a time when we are working on these historic objectives. For me or my colleagues in the Senate to now question a possible renomination would jeopardize our influence in the United Nations and encourage those who oppose the United States to make Bolton the issue, thereby undermining our policies and agenda.

Should the president send his renomination to the Senate, I will vote to confirm him, and I call on my Democratic colleagues to keep in mind the current situation in the Middle East and the rest of the world should the Senate have an opportunity to vote. I do not believe the United States, at this dangerous time, can afford to have a U.N. ambassador who does not have Congress's full support.

For the good of our country, the United Nations and the free world, we must end any ambiguity about whether John Bolton speaks for the United States so that he can work to support our interests at the United Nations during this critical time.

Michelle Malkin has more on this issue, including several editorial excerpts, as well as information on how you can help to support a confirmation vote for John Bolton. I urge everyone to do whatever they can to support John Bolton's confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. His performance has been more than satisfactory, and his efforts on our country's behalf have furthered our interests in the world in a positive way. There is no reason to deny his appointment at this time, and many good reasons to confirm him.