Bolton Buzz
There’s lots of blogospheric buzz about Bolton’s resignation.
Steven Taylor again wonders, “Of course, I have never fully understood the devotion that Bolton has generated, so I suppose it is no shock that I don’t get the fact that this is such a big deal.”
Let me try to put this into some context. After the GOP defeats last month along with Rumsfeld resigning and the “importance” of James Baker’s Iraq Study Group many think Bush is going wobbly. As a Redstate commenter put it, “Translation: Bush surrenders. Again.” The base is craving leadership. The Republicans in Congress aren’t doing anything, and the President is in a post-election funk. Picking George Mitchell as Bolton’s replacement is worse than a Harriet Miers moment.
This is an opportunity for a 2008 GOP Presidential candidate to strut his stuff for conservatives. Sen. John McCain really wants to get back into their good graces and is in the best position to do something. What could he do? He could introduce a bill calling for the U.S. to defund the U.N. until reforms are implemented. He’d also have to threaten to filibuster any bill that funded the body. McCain could also go after DoD nominee Bob Gates for not being tough enough for the Islamist War. A savvy move would be endorsing a Rick Santorum nomination as U.N. Ambassador. McCain doesn’t have to win, he just has to earn some confidence from conservatives who are very, very wary of him. Upsetting Andrew Sullivan wouldn’t hurt–it could be McCain’s “Sister Souljah moment.”
The problem with Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani is they don’t have any ability to affect foreign policy. Neither man has a vote in Congress or McCain’s ability to filibuster. That gives the Arizona Senator an advantage in keeping an issue in the media. Giuliani has talked tough about the war for a while. He could offer up bold idea or two, but it would be hard to keep that in front of conservative voters’ faces. Romney is still too busy convincing people a Mormon in the White House wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Something has to give. The post-election funk could easily slide into 2007. If Bush wants to be a lame duck already I’m sure another Republican will be more than happy to take up the cause, especially if it means political advantage for 2008.
President Bush is done, but save your fork as the President used his own on himself.