Bolton As McCain's Secretary Of State?

Would embattled former UN ambassador John Bolton have a place in John McCain's presidential cabinet?

The idea was brewing beneath the veneer of Bolton's address to the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday.

Revealing information that he said had never before been made public, Bolton discussed how McCain secretly tried to shepherd his nomination to the United Nations -- a nomination that was held up in Congress over Bolton's controversial anti-UN statements and policies.

"He was very active behind the scenes," said Bolton, who was ultimately sent to the UN via a presidential recess appointment. "He thought I was the type of ambassador that ought to represent the United States at the United Nations."

Addressing an audience already skeptical of McCain's presidential nomination, Bolton offered a defense of the senator. Mostly, however, his argument amounted to criticisms of the Democratic contenders, Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

"The person who takes office on January 20, 2009 has to be prepared to be commander-in-chief immediately," said Bolton. "We cannot have a president who needs on-the-job training, nor a president who has problems dealing with a little bit of stress."

Even prior to the speech the possibility of a Bolton cabinet position was being batted around. The introductory speaker, Ken Timmerman, referred to the former UN Ambassador as both a "warrior of light," and "our next Secretary of State."

But Bolton himself hinted at gaps between his and McCain's outlook on foreign affairs. Without addressing the Arizona Republican by name, he warned against the ratification of the International Criminal Court, a policy anathema in conservative circles but to which McCain has offered tepid support. And after his speech was over, he deflected questions about serving as a McCain adviser or cabinet officer.

""I really don't think about that and really shouldn't think about that. The first thing we need to do is win the election," said Bolton. "I think, from talking to people here, he has a lot of work to do... in terms of bringing everybody on board."

Follow HuffPost continue coverage of CPAC 2008.

Comments

[ftprairiedog]

We just can't rid ourselves of these nut case zionist cocksuckers.

[HLMerkin]

I really don't think that is an appropriate thing to say about Hillary.

[denver]

Rush said he would fund raise for Hillary so that the republicans can run against her,because they hate her not because he supports her,just like Ann Coulter saying she would support Hillary give me a break.They are minipulating the media and it is their statagy to get the staunch concervitives to vote,when they otherwise would'nt vote for Mcain.Democratic voters are smarter than this not to fall forit I hope.

It just pleases the Obama supporters here on the Huff who are hate agents themselves,and for some reason support Obama but dont understand his message of untiy!!!!

[Balto]

Are you on drugs?

[ginnypoo]

It's some of the most devisive unity I have ever seen. Obama's cultish followers need to go outside and get some fresh air, take a walk, have a snack.....you guys will wear yourselves out in 2 weeks at this rate, take it from a Clinton supporter from way, way back, you really need to pace yourselves, and learn to pick your fights. It just gets harder and more intense from here, so take a step back and try to stay calm.....I worry that when the rezko trial starts next month all your heads will implode and that can't be good.

[Cunningham]

Yes, you're doing so much to promote unity yourself. Call Obama supporters cultish one more time, please.

[woundedduck]

Is that the hair we want representing America?

[forpeace]

*

woundedduck

Is that the hair we want representing America?

=============

LOL ......... I'm sure he will get a new hair do, like Rice did!!

*

[yesyesyes]

I thought the walrus was Paul.

[Economike]

I hear there doing a remake of the Captian Kangaroo show. He'd be perfect.

[Nicolaus]

And I hear Beelzebub will be the Secretary of Morality, and Honesty.

Senator McCain is not a maverick. He is getting to be one of the foremost examples of principle-less politicians the like of which the suffering people of this country have not seen since the disgraced former President Richard Nixon.

I expect he will soon turn 'evangelist.'

[LamontCranston]

Don't laugh people: This could be a very dark ride if indeed he is elected president. There is going to be some serious negotiating between the hard-core right wing nutjobs and the McCain people if he (McCain) is to get their support.

Watch in amazement as McCain morphs into something other than what he appears to be (faults and all) today.

[MajorKong]

McCain was William Kristol's favorite in 2000. That pretty much points to him being a favorite of the neoconservatives.

[HLMerkin]

McCain was talking about preemptive war when Dubya was still throwing back Lone Stars at Giley's.

[strengththruslack]

McCain isn't hiding anything - he is fully bought-in to the neocon madness and hell-bent on attacking Iran and pulling the US into a full-scale, neve r ending war in the Middle East. Despite all the anti-McCain diatribe, the $$$War Machine loves him.

[MikeMidCity]

I assume that means the new office of Secretary of Meanoldsonofabitch will not be offered to him?

[MikeMidCity]

Sam Stein, you are the scariest writer since Steven King.

"Mommy make the bad man stop saying scary things."

[Aristedes]

'Bollocks' Bolton came to the U.N. expecting to kick ass for the NEOCONS- instead he got his ass kicked & now he's got Mc Brain's shoulder to cry on. read 'em & weep.........

[HuffingPuffing]

They don't call him Crazy McMustache for nothing, you know... that crackpot. Watch him get a good old stuffing from Paxo here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuqNWG9sbuE

[realitytrumpsbull]

SKIP you, you're done, go eat your government doughnut, and be happy. Hi, welcome to Wal-Mart!

[olephart]

"Would embattled former UN ambassador John Bolton have a place in John McCain's presidential cabinet?"

Maybe so, but they'd have to take the bolts out of his neck and get him some new shoes.

[gregjones]

McCain + Bolton=DRAFT

[NorthernCross]

Bolton would be an awesome choice. We need someone to clean up the DoS. It always pissed me off that legacy INS got all the blame for the 9/11 terrorists getting in, while State, which actually issued the visas, got off relatively easier.

BOLTON FOR DoS SEC!!

[realpolitic]

If that is all you are worried about at this point, then you have not been paying attention to all Bush's shenanigans at the Justice Department, regarding civil rights, torture policies, divide and conquer America strategy, signing statements, etc.

[MajorKong]

Translation from conservativespeak:

"Clean up" = "Make them march in lockstep with whatever the Pentagon wants to do"

[realpolitic]

"Clean up" to a neocon means to delete all emails and destroy all records to escape prosecution.

[CrazyLiberal]

Just put a cape with a hood on bolton in the picture. With the way his hands are, he is the great wizard of the GOP. Conjuring up magic spells to put on liberals.

An evil Harry Potter on steroids.

[CountryBeforeParty]

Bolton for Sec of State?

The fucking Star Chamber is taking shape in front of our eyes!

[evahartselftlanguages]

TO: Reference above post of God Will Not Surrender America to the Foe dated Feb 8, 2008 Continued.

I was recommended to work at job for Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara back in 1964. i went to Pentagon for interview. Eva Hart Christian Army 62-70