Commending Senators Hagel and Chafee

As the Islamofascist regime in Iran rebuffs UN efforts to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons, the Security Council will once again become the scene of frenetic diplomatic activity.

America is fortunate to be represented in such negotiations by one of its most capable and tenacious representatives to the United Nations, Ambassador John Bolton. An opportunity to express the Nation’s appreciation for this extraordinary public servant and to strengthen his hand in sensitive meetings with friends and foes alike will occur when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee meets on 7 September to vote on Amb. Bolton ‘s re-nomination by President Bush.

The Center for Security Policy strongly supports the Bolton re-nomination . It is recognizes both the high quality of Mr. Bolton’s performance over the past year and the necessity of maintaining continuity in the post at a time when myriad critical issues are on the UN’s agenda. It urges the Foreign Relations Committee to recommend favorably the Ambassador’s confirmation to the full Senate without delay.

The Center for Security Policy is particularly appreciative of the perspicacity and courage exhibited by two key Republican members of the Committee – Senators Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island – when the Bolton nomination faced intense, mostly partisan and entirely unfounded criticism a year ago. Sens. Hagel and Chafee both voted to confirm Mr. Bolton.

Consequently, on the eve of their being asked once again to vote for Amb. Bolton , the Center has purchased television air time in the Omaha and Lincoln , Nebraska and Providence , Rhode Island media markets to thank the Senators for their past support and to encourage them to re-approve his confirmation on the basis of Mr. Bolton’s performance to date that has fully validated their confidence in him. The ad concludes by saying to the two legislators: "You did the right thing before. Do it again now."

The Center’s announcement today follows its organization last month of a powerful open letter to Congress signed by dozens of America ‘s most accomplished defense and foreign policy practitioners extolling Amb. Bolton ‘s record. These recent efforts parallel the Center’s campaign during the 2005 confirmation fight, which included, among other things, its release of earlier joint letter and television advertisement.

Commenting on the Center’s new TV campaign, its President, Frank J. Gaffney, Jr., observed:

Over the twelve months since John Bolton assumed his current responsibilities, he has confirmed that the confidence Senators Hagel and Chafee and a bipartisan majority of the Senate reposed in him last year was well-placed. At a juncture when the United Nations is in a position to help with serious crises from Lebanon to Iran to North Korea, to undertake sweeping institutional reform and to mount and underwrite massive humanitarian operations worldwide, it is only appropriate that the Foreign Relations Committee and the full Senate now vote swiftly to confirm Mr. Bolton as America’s Permanent Representative to the UN.

The ad’s script reads as follows:

Last year, Senator Chuck Hagel [in Nebraska media markets]/Lincoln Chafee [in Rhode Island ‘s market] voted to confirm John Bolton as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Senator Hagel/Chafee agreed with President Bush that we needed a man like John Bolton to get useful things done at the UN – and stop harmful things from happening there.

One year later, Ambassador Bolton has validated that judgment – advancing American interests and holding the UN accountable.

On September 7th, Senator Hagel/Chafee will have a chance to vote for Ambassador Bolton again.

Senator Hagel/Chafee: You did the right thing before. Do it again now.