John Bolton nomination dead in the water?

The Financial Times has an article saying it may just be.

President George W. Bush is unlikely to seek a recess appointment for John Bolton in the near future, increasing the sense that his nomination for US ambassador to the United Nations is running out of steam.

A senior administration official suggested that a recess appointment a presidential confirmation of an official while the Senate is in recess would antagonise relations with Democrats ahead of what is expected to be a contentious Senate debate over filling a vacancy on the Supreme Court.

The debate over Mr Bolton has been overshadowed since Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced last week her pending retirement from the Supreme Court. The White House is now gearing up for a battle to find a replacement.

Over the past two months, Senate Democrats have twice blocked a vote on Mr Bolton's nomination, raising the prospect that Mr Bush would use a recess appointment to bypass the Senate. The Democrats say they will allow a vote after the administration hands over documents that could shed light on whether Mr Bolton had skewed intelligence while serving as undersecretary of state for arms control.

Mr Bush, who has never ruled out a recess appointment for Mr Bolton, has urged Bill Frist, Senate Republican majority leader, to keep pushing for a vote. Republicans have been unable to muster the 60 votes needed to cut off debate and force a vote on the nomination itself.

Its unfortunate Bolton's nomination came to this. I do agree President Bush would be wiser not to expend any political capital on a recess nomination. There are going to be bigger political fights in the coming years. Not just O'Connor, but another USSC nominee or nominees. How about nominating his father now? That would be a novel solution.

Hat tip- Outside the Beltway