Bolton meeting with Biden and Dodd. From the AP:

For his part, Bolton meet briefly during the day with his two most vocal Democratic opponents -- Sens. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.) and Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.).

Dodd's spokeswoman, Stacie Paxton, said the senator asked Bolton to persuade Vice President Cheney to provide the Senate with information the Democrats have requested about National Security Agency intercepts.

As reader J writes, "To have been a fly on the wall at that meeting:"

Interesting that Dodd just came right out and said Cheney is the man who needs convincing here, not President Bush, Cheney's putative boss ....

I don't have any evidence to back this up, but my gut tells me that a deal is in the offing -- and will be completed prior to Monday evening's cloture vote. It was very unusual for Bolton to meet with Dodd/Biden (and I'm guessing they were not discussing their plans to see a Nats ball game).

Frist referred in his floor statement to ongoing "constructive" negotiations. Maybe the White House has quietly let it be known that Bolton will be given a recess appointment over the Fourth of July break...

Posted by Laura at June 17, 2005 10:52 AM