Sob! Sob! Sob,
Two changes in the Bush administration's key foreign policy posts make it appear that the White House has signalled a full retreat on its executive prerogative. Ambassadors John Bolton and Zalmay Khalilizad have tendered their resignations, from the UN and Iraq respectively, withdrawing from the two most controversial posts in the foreign service.
Oh, dear. The president who won't cut and run is now in full retreat! And oh, no! The controversy!
Pardon me, but the presidency carries with it certain prerogatives, among them the power to determine the foreign policy of the United States. In fact, it's one of the chief responsibilities of the office, and normally Presidents are given the leeway to determine the people best suited to carry it out. The treatment of John Bolton was unprecedented -- the rejection of a political appointment in the foreign service not because of any disqualifying event, but because the Senate didn't like the policy of the administration.
Pardon me. Forget about the Senate taking seriously its charge of confirming appointments and to advise and consent.
Oh, dear! Congress, stop that. Stop that right now! This Bolton business is most messy! The idea that the president alone determines foreign policy must continue, even if he isn't very good at it!
Congress just invalidated the 2004 Presidential election that put foreign policy in Bush's hands.
Oh, dear! Oh, my! What will we do? Just wait until Congress starts validating the midterm elections of 2006! Are you sad?
