Top Dem May Hold Up Bolton Vote

Sen. Joe Biden Wants More Info On Controversial U.N. Nominee

(AP)  Bolton has been accused of trying to remove subordinates whose intelligence information he opposed and of having a fiery temper inappropriate for a U.N. ambassador.

Biden reminded Rice that he agreed with Lugar that the committee would vote on May 12, "predicated on my expectation ... that the executive branch will cooperate in providing access to witnesses and documents."

A close vote is expected. While Republicans hold a 10-8 advantage, a handful of Republican senators have indicated they were still weighing Bolton's credentials.

In his letter to Rice last week, Lugar partly backed Biden's request. But he said obtaining all the documents the Democrats wanted may not be possible before the scheduled vote.

"The committee looks forward to reviewing additional documents in advance of its May 12 vote on the nomination of John Bolton, and we appreciate your efforts to make that possible," Lugar wrote.

Meanwhile, Margaret Thatcher, who gained a reputation for outspokenness as Britain's prime minister, endorsed Bolton's nomination, largely for his "capacity for straight-talking rather than peddling half-truths."

In a letter made available Thursday by Bolton's office, Thatcher said she wrote to tell her longtime friend "how strongly I support your nomination."

Bolton also was endorsed by former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, who told a reporter, "John Bolton is eminently qualified. He's one of the smartest guys in Washington."

Armitage is close to former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who did not sign a letter sent last month to Lugar by all other former living Republican secretaries of state backing Bolton.