Friday Morning Bolton Musings, from a reader:

1) The press coverage of Negroponte's role as NID and making a final ruling on the availability of the NSA intercepts to the Senate committees portray him as a disinterested observor. But folks should remember that Negroponte's nomination for UN Ambassador in 2001 was met with fierce resistance by Senator Dodd, who raised many questions about Negroponte's knowledge of death squads operating in Central America with formal Honduras government support when he was the U.S. Ambassador there in the early 1980's. I can't remember whether Dodd finally voted for or against the nomination, but his staff made the confirmation process prolonged and a little rocky. All of this may explain why Negroponte may feel compelled to take his sweet time with these NSA intercepts. Guess who is leading the charge for these requests -- none other than Chris Dodd?

2) The Lugar-Biden back and forth letters is very interesting. Committee comity must be breaking down if it is coming down to dueling letters and their very public release. You really wonder when Dick Lugar will finally realize that this nomination is tearing apart his prized Committee and ask himself, "Is it really worth it?"

3) Armitage wants to be Secretary of Defense. Lots of rumors that Rummy will be stepping down later this year, once the Quadrennial Defense Review process is complete. Armitage is on the short-list at the White House, from all accounts. He's a smart political operator, and he knows this statement will be remembered down the road.

What, Armitage's polite endorsement of Bolton isn't bubbling up from the bottom of his heart? I'm shocked.

Posted by Laura at May 6, 2005 10:10 AM