Some comments from Steve Clemons

Steve Clemons has some interesting comments on Roberts and (of course) Bolton.

"I think it is clear that the battle over John Bolton -- still happily unresolved and withering on the vine -- may have chastened the White House (finally) to be more cautious." Steve thinks that Roberts is a much better nominee than we should have expected, and the battle over Bolton is probably the reason.

Steve thinks the Bolton battle is over. He will get a recess appointment in August.

There was a rumor that Bolton might be appointed as Ambassador to the Philippines. The result of the rumor was an immediate flurry of political activity by Filipinos to make sure that never happened.

Also on Bolton: "Bolton did try to begin to get his staff and office space expanded in the Washington-based operations of the United Nations -- and that Condi Rice was completely unaware of this effort. Those who disclosed the information about Bolton's pre-confirmation stewardship of logistics related to the U.S. mission to the United Nations are admittedly not thrilled at the prospect of working under his lead."

I don't understand the absolute demand by the White House that Bolton be appointed no matter how many people consider him unqualified. My best guess is that this is a case of 'loyalty to a loyal subordinate' gone mad. That may well be mixed with a belief in the White House that no one should ever be allowed to balk when they say "jump" because if anyone begins to think they can stop idiotic White House orders then those orders will be less likely to be carried out in the future. But I really don't know.