Chuck Hagel says 'Yes' to Bolton

Once upon a time John Bolton's future hung on Senator Chuck Hagel. In mid-April he claimed that "if there's nothing more that comes out, I will vote for Bolton." And whaddya know? More came out. Hagel then spent much time pleading that nothing new had really come out, intending to vote him out of committee to possibly oppose him on the floor. But instead he will vote for him.

Chuck Hagel has been MIA in debate, whereas Senator George Voinovich's opposition has taken on the status of moral crusade.

Steve Clemons today needles Senator Hagel, who has presidential ambitions:

Whereas Hagel was one of the first to articulate serious concerns about Bolton's behavior and say that if any other news emerged about him, Hagel's support would be in jeapordy -- Hagel has nonetheless remained supportive of Bolton despite a long line of disturbing revelations, particularly his active role in attempting to undermine Colin Powell before key meetings.

I have recently met several "high net worth" Republicans in Northeastern states who played active chair and co-chair roles in both Bush-Cheney campaigns, and they have reported to TWN that they are losing hope in a Hagel presidential effort.

Yet Hagel plans to vote for Bolton on the floor, even if he was too ashamed to stand up and support him there.