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The Democrats held their grounds by stopping the vote to end debate on John Bolton’s nomination. Many Republicans are labeling this act as another Democrat’s filibuster, and some Republican Senators painted the Democratic Party as obstructionists. Four Democrats broke ranks and joined the Republican majority, but the votes came short of 60 to end debate. John Bolton is one of the most controversial President Bush’s nominations, because of his past negative remarks on United Nations and his record of bullying many of his colleges during his tenure as the State Department’s arms control chief. The blocking Democrats are only asking President Bush to release classified documents regarding Bolton’s stay in the State Department. Even with the Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s request, the Whitehouse did not give any sign of giving up the document to Congress.

Many right wing conservatives might be bashing against the Democrats for slowing down the congressional process, but everybody in the Senate floor knows that it is President Bush that is holding back business. The Democrats have promised to move on with Bolton’s vote if the Whitehouse releases the classified documents, but the Whitehouse have been reluctant to release them. This is no longer the issue of the Democratic Party cooperating with the Republicans on the legislative process; instead, the issue has become an intergovernmental branch refusal of cooperation. Even the Senate Majority Leader cannot get the documents. Therefore, the Whitehouse is escalating the situation by giving a reason for the Democrats to hold back Bolton’s nomination vote, and giving more suspicion on Bolton’s past record to many Senators.

John Bolton did not receive any recommendation from the foreign relations committee or even from the former Secretary of State Colin Powell. This embarrassment to John Bolton is being escalated as the Whitehouse consistently refuses to release classified documents. More suspicion of John Bolton can potentially force some Republicans to break ranks and vote against him for his nomination. Republican Senator Voinovich urged his Republican colleges to vote against Bolton due to his excessive aggressive records during his tenure at the State Department. There is a potential of Bolton being shot down when the Senate vote comes, because of the potential that some moderate Republicans might side with the Democrats.

The President can use his President privileges to hold back the classified documents, but he should also know that he is potentially endangering Bolton from receiving the nomination. If President Bush does not meet Congress demands to release the classified documents, there is a potential risk for damaging his reputation in Congress.