Sorry, Ezra. The dream is dead:
Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel said on Monday he would support JohnBolton to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, likely clearingthe way for Senate confirmation of the long-time critic of the worldbody.
Hagel of Nebraska was the only Republican on the SenateForeign Relations Committee who had declined to say whether he wouldback Bolton, currently under secretary of state for arms control. Hissupport removes a possible obstacle to Bolton's nomination advancing tothe full Senate.
I guess we're not the only ones who know there's an election coming up. And, it wasn't even the "up-or-down boilerplate" you rightly predicted:
After meeting with Bolton on Monday, Hagel issued astatement of support. "His experience and knowledge will serve him wellas he represents America's interests in the U.N. at a criticallyimportant time," Hagel said.
Yeeeesh.