No Rain Delay for Bolton

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2006 — -- The hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations got off to an odd start today -- and not just because this is the third time Bolton has gone before the senators seeking confirmation to the post.

This time around it is a confirmation hearing for a man who for almost a year has held the job for which he is being nominated; when the process stalled last year because of Democrats' opposition, President Bush installed Bolton in the position with a recess appointment that runs out at the end of the 109th Congress, most likely next January.

It was the change of heart of George Voinovich, R-Ohio, who gave a tearful speech on the Senate floor last year opposing Bolton, that led Republicans to try to shoot Bolton through the confirmation process again. Not only did Voinovich become a supporter, but since announcing his new opinion last week, Voinovich's office has dispatched press releases lauding Bolton and even urging his confirmation.

Remember, however, that Voinovich is only one vote and Republicans need to pick up five more to overcome a filibuster.

The weirdness of the hearing only intensified with the multiple protesters and indoor rain storm that beset it after the opening gavel. For all that, no Democrats on the committee seemed won over by Bolton's performance at the United Nations since his recess appointment.

Oddest at the hearing, in almost biblical style (at least as far as the muted world of Senate confirmation hearings), as Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., was beginning to question Bolton about U.S. policy toward Lebanon and Hezbollah, a cascading sheet of water fell from above, landing in the 10 feet directly between Bolton and his Senator inquisitors, separating the two sides.

There must be some allegory or omen or some hidden meaning to the waterfall. Perhaps something about discord between question and answer. Choose your own meaning for the indoor rainstorm. The serendipity of its timing and placement are too intriguing for coincidence.