Bolton to receive recess appointment

Bloomberg.com:

President George W. Bush will name John Bolton ambassador to the United Nations today in a recess appointment, an administration official said. The appointment bypasses the U.S. Senate where Democrats refused to allow a vote on the nomination. The Constitution allows the president to fill vacancies when the Senate is in recess. Bolton's appointment lasts until a new Congress convenes in January 2007. ``This is a critical time for the United Nations,'' spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters at the White House. ``The president believes, as do a majority of senators, that he is the right person for the job.'' McClellan said Bush would make the announcement at 10 a.m. in Washington.

I can already here the screams. I like Bolton as U.N. ambassador. I think we need someone who will shake things up there. I also think that Democrats made a pretty serious mistake in fillibustering this appointment. Unlike a judge that is appointed for life, ambassadors are a relatively short term job anyway, so there is no reason for a President not to go the recess appointment route. I hope that such tactics don't become the norm, as I think the Senate's advice and consent are important. However, the more the fillibuster is used, the more common such things will be.