Democrats block Bolton confirmation

The setback left Bush facing stark choices most of which could leave him appearing weak at a time he is facing sagging poll numbers and fighting lame-duck status six months into his final term.

Wielding a seldom-used power, he could install Bolton during the Senate's upcoming July 4 recess without the chamber's approval. Under the Constitution, the so-called recess appointment would only last through the next one-year session of Congress in Bolton's case until January 2007.

Should Bush decide against that, he could withdraw the nomination or authorize further concessions to Democrats who are demanding access to information, some of it classified, about Bolton before they stop stalling.

Even before the vote, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., predicted the Senate would block the nomination again leaving Bush in a ticklish situation.

"The president will have to make a decision whether he wants to send this flawed candidate to the United Nations," Reid said.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., accused Democrats of being unwilling to compromise.

"The plain and simple truth is that some on the other side of the aisle are obstructing a highly qualified nominee and I believe by not allowing him to assume this position yet are doing harm to our country," Frist said.

Bush has said Bolton, with a history of blunt talk and skepticism about the U.N.'s power, would lead an effort to overhaul the world body's bureaucracy and make it more accountable. Critics say the fiery conservative, who has been accused of mistreating subordinates, would backfire and hurt U.S. efforts to work with the U.N. and other countries.

Though Monday's vote seemed destined to fail in advance, some Republicans argued that holding it at least put Democrats on record once again of delaying final confirmation. That could provide political cover for the White House for a recess appointment or to withdraw Bolton's nomination by letting the administration claim they were forced to take those steps because of Democratic stonewalling.

Like the vote in May, Sens. Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana were the only Democrats to break ranks and support the move to have an immediate final vote.

Several senators did not vote because they were at home preparing for regional hearings by a commission considering whether to sign off on Pentagon's plans to close military bases in their states.