Tyranny of the Outgoing Minority

Today, we have a parting reminder of the impact of the obstructionist Senate minority (and a couple nominal members of the majority) doggedly refusing to vote on duly nominated candidates, as the sufficiently bi-partisanly supported Ambassador John Bolton resigns, effective at the end of the Congressional session.

Bush had bypassed the Senate in August 2005 by appointing Bolton to the position when the lawmakers were in recess, avoiding the confirmation process and angering senators concerned that Bolton had a temper and intimidated intelligence analysts to support his hawkish views while at the State Department.

Bolton and White House officials felt that if the full Senate had had the chance to vote on his nomination that he would be confirmed, but some senators in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee opposed him.

This is one of those rare filibusters in which obstructionists get to feel good not only about shirking their advise and consent duties, but also about weakening the country's diplomatic stance - not only by virtue of the inevitable perceived instability, but also because Bolton was unusually intolerant of UN malefaction and few candidates (even under a Republican majority) would be likely to measure up.

With Joe Biden set to take the reins of the Foreign Relations Committee, the horizon is darkening.  But Bush will be able to make a new recess appointment after the end of the session, meaning his new pick will at least have the benefit of incumbency (not that it did Bolton a whole lot of good).

Elsewhere: Michelle Malkin, Hot Air, The American Pundit, Sister Toldjah, Stop the ACLU, Outside the Beltway, Mary Katherine

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Update:  Text of Bush's statement at Hotline:

It is with deep regret that I accept John Bolton’s decision to end his service in the Administration as Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations when his commission expires.

Over a year ago, I appointed Ambassador Bolton because I knew he would represent America’s values and effectively confront difficult problems at the United Nations. He served his country with extraordinary dedication and skill, assembling coalitions that addressed some of the most consequential issues facing the international community. During his tenure, he articulately advocated the positions and values of the United States and advanced the expansion of democracy and liberty.

Update:  Drudge is reporting George Mitchell (Disney Chairman, Democratic Senate Majority Leader under Clinton) is on the short list for replacements.

What say?  Surely there's a sufficiently tittilating  Cheney-backed, hidden agenda here to justify such a pick.

Dig, nutroots, dig.

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Update:  Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) suggests Nicholas Burns, former Ambassador to NATO and currently Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

Burns has an impressive resume.  I think I like this idea better than Mitchell.

Burns might also make for a smooth transition from Bolton, as he's not afraid to do business mustachioed.

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Update: Another possibility: Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad.  Allah notes a game of ambassadorial musical chairs that seems to be freeing up Dr. Khalilzad's calendar.

Meanwhile, The Corner handicaps a longshot.