Soccer Dad

Bolton nomination

Israel Matzav has the news that President Bush has sent John Bolton's name back to the Senate for confirmation.

I'm glad then that I sent the following e-mail to Senator-elect Cardin.

Dear Senator Elect Cardin, Congratulations on your victory in the election yesterday. While I see that you have been very supportive of Israel in the past, I would like you to consider using your new status to ask your future Senate colleagues who are currently serving on the Foreign Relations Committee to allow a floor vote on Ambassador Bolton. The Senate as currently constituted would likely confirm Bolton; it is a position he deserves. In the course of his recess appointment, Ambassador Bolton has faithfully carried out the Bush administration's policy of vetoing resolutions against Israel. In addition he has spoken out strongly against the anti-Israel attitudes that prevail at the UN. I know that you've condemned the antisemitism at the UN in the past. Now I'm asking to you do something concrete to fight it. I understand that such a request could put you at odds with your party's leadership. It would, however, signal a strong commitment to Israel and the cause of freedom.

One of the reasons I regretted Cardin's win is that I'm reasonably certain that his opponent would understand the importance of the Bolton nomination. Here's what Michael Steele had at his website. (thanks to my father for saving it)

Since the earliest days of our nation and through the insidious, irrational genocide of the Second World War, America has opened its arms to Jewish immigrants. In the face of ancient hatreds and militant threats, the United States stood with the Jewish people to bring to the Middle East a revolutionary democracy: a vibrant nation we call Israel. Our partnership with Israel today is as strong and as critical to peace in the world as it has ever been. At a time when so many of Israel's historic friends are abandoning her people for the sake of domestic political opportunism, I will work to provide a clear voice of support for strengthening the diplomatic, defense, and economic ties between our two nations. I will work to secure the United Nation's recognition of Israel's right to those privileges granted to other members of our global community - including full rotating membership on the United Nations Security Council. As a democratic nation, Israel is entitled to the same rights to preserve its sovereignty that we enjoy in America: the right and responsibility to its citizenry to control the border, and the right to respond to unprovoked and deadly attacks against on their own soil. I believe we must call upon our own government, those represented in the United Nations, and those all across the globe to afford Israel the same respect and deference given to every other sovereign and legitimate state.

Cardin didn't have anything about Israel at his campaign website. However on his congressional site he has plenty of citations where he offered his support for Israel.

So if you live in Maryland and you're interested in seeing John Bolton confirmed, send an e-mail to rep.cardin at mail.house.gov. Include your name and address so he may respond.

In fact anyone with an incoming Democratic senator, consider contacting him (or her) and ask him (or her) to request that they ask their colleagues to free the nomination.

Atlas Shrugs has a list of the Democratic Senators holding up the nomination in the Foreign Relations committee. Feel free to contact them too, especially if you're one of their constituents.

Technorati tags: John Bolton, The Senate.