What began as a whisper campaign months ago is now being openly discussed among conservatives, and that is the possibility that former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton could potentially become 'a sleeper candidate' for President in 2012 on the Republican ticket.
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli). A woman votes in California.
Bolton's credentials are stellar. While serving at the U.N. he was a fearless and sometimes controversial crusader for American interests at an institution that has major credibility problems with its overt promotion of extremist Islamic groups and nations.
As a stalwart proponent of liberty, Bolton made it clear that it is not in U.S. interests to support Communists in Cuba, Venezuela, or North Korea, nor the overt push in the EU toward socialism, which has brought the entire continent to the brink of economic collapse.
Instead, along with a few other members of the Bush Administration Bolton emphasized the strategic importance of aligning ourselves with eastern European countries that had suffered under the relentless oppression of Marxism/Communism and had tasted the sweet victory of human freedom with the demise of the Soviet Union.
These nations, such as the Czech Republic, the Ukraine, Poland, and others became allies of the U.S. due to our dogged determination during the Cold War to liberate oppressed persons in Europe from the heavy jackboot to the throat, compliments of the Communists.
Jay Nordlinger of National Review tells the following story concerning the notion of Bolton for President:
Couple years ago, we were on an NR cruise. And Bolton was really wowin’ ’em, with his commentary from the platform. Our passengers were saying, “Bolton for President.” So I noted this, on a panel: that people were murmuring, in rising tones, “Bolton for President.” I then said, “Hang on a minute. We know that he’s A-1 on foreign policy. But we know nothing about his domestic policies. For all we know, he’s a socialist” (as many great hawks have been). John smiled and said, “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that.”
Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs has the following to say about a Bolton candidacy:
I am thrilled that a Bolton 2012 presidency is finally being discussed. I can think of no better man, statesman, patriot, hero, truth teller and great American to right the historic Obama disaster. Just say the word, and Atlas readers will begin the campaign.
As conservatives cast their eyes toward the 2012 Presidential election, it is increasingly clear that many good candidates fit the bill as excellent contenders, such as Sarah Palin, Chris Christy, Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan, Mitch Daniels, and possibly Jim DeMint (if he should decide to run).
John Bolton can now be added to that list.
For commentary on the issues of the day, visit my blog at The Liberty Sphere.
Comments
Now, THIS I could like! Bolton is so sharp in public that he exemplifies the old Meatloaf lyric "glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife".
Wow! I don't know much about him with regard to anything but U.N. and foreign relations issues, but I LOVE him in those arenas. I have always admired his strength and conviction. If his values are solidly conservative in all other areas, I'd be thrilled with such a candidate.
Way too straight a shooter for the press. He'll be targeted and destroyed. Let him advise the wily one.
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If John Bolton's stature as Ambassador to the UN is any indication, I would vote for him quite potentially. I respect Pamela Geller's take on him as well, and feel she may have more knowledge regarding his entire portfolio. We sorely need a REAL American POTUS!
I like the fact that he is a straight-shooter, and frankly, who cares what the mainstream media thinks anymore? They are nothing more than Obama-whores. No credibility whatsoever.
He wipes the floor with anyone he debates. Love the guy.
I've always liked the way Bolton came across on camera, he seemed honest and a man of few words....words that didn't sound like political rhetoric. The only problem that I have with him is his ties with the N.W.O.'s puppet the U.N. and his past with the C.F.R., which is nothing more than another arm of the Trilateral commission...a Rockefeller/Kissinger extension of the N.W.O. Bilderberg group. He appears to be a man who can't be bought. Life has already created the man you see....he wasn't groomed by the power brokers as in the case of Barry O. who appeared out of nowhere with no proven past as a junior senator from the crime ridden streets of Chicago! I would have to say no on my vote for Bolton because of his known past, the agencies he's worked for, and even the presidents that he's worked for....sans Reagan. We need someone to fill the seat in OUR nations highest office that has no connection with the old guard and the good ol boys club on the beltway ! But I still like Bolton !
straight-shooter?????
He repeatedly LIED to Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condi Rice - his direct bosses!
He's an unreconstructed neo-con and ardent member of the "Israel before the US" foreign policy faction.
He was a major influence in the Bush/Cheney dismissal in 2002 of DIA and CIA evidence that Iraq's WMD program was dead and that they had no viable WMDs left.
Now, if you were talking about John Bolton the comic book artist, that might be another story. But he's a Brit.
Snark--I have a fundamental disagreement with you on Bolton, but so be it. I am not saying he is my choice. I am saying he is being discussed in conservative circles as a possible candidate. I know many who like him a great deal.
Not many who ever actually worked with him, Martin. By mid-2002, DIA considered him an "enemy combatant."
Snark--In the Bush-Obama era, I am not so sure that the term 'enemy combatant' is necessarily an indication of anything treasonous.
Well, in his State Dept. job, Bolton both fed incorrect info up the chain and kept Powell from seeing the DIA intel contradicting the Iraqi WMD claims by the Bush administration - which in turn led to Powell giving incorrect information to the UN.
Considering that false intel became the fundamental public rationale for invading Iraq - and the mess that followed - 'treasonous' may not be an inaccurate term for Bolton... especially considering that while he favored shedding American blood in Iraq (and earlier, in Vietnam), he openly admits deliberately avoiding service in Vietnam himself.
I have ZERO respect for Colin Powell, going all the way back to the Reagan Administration--and we don't know that the intel was wrong...Iraq got rid of the WMD through its numerous pathways to Syria and other friendly Muslim states.
Let's be frank. The man would need a make-over to get elected. America is incapable of voting in an unattractive candidate...we are too image conscious now. Sad - but true.
Get a clue Mr. Wilson. Bolton is just what this country needs.
Wrong, Martin. Iraq's WMD program was never reconstituted after the 1991 Gulf War; what wasn't destroyed at places like Khamisiyah was either found and destroyed by UNSCOM or, in many cases, destroyed at Saddam's order to hide the extent of the pre-Desert Storm program.
Iraq's major WMD, chemical weapons, were poor quality and degraded rapidly - if not used withing 18-24 months, they were ineffective. And with no new manufacture after January 1991, there was no threat by 2002-2003.
By late 2002, CIA had verified statements from Iraqi scientists who had previously worked on WMDs and been out of work for years. DIA had technical intelligence and a high-level defector who brought the evidence.
At NO time did CIA, DIA or JSOC (SOF was monitoring the border with Syria BEFORE the invasion of Iraq) detect the movement of a single unit of WMD out of Iraq.
Post invasion, the Iraq Studies Group extensively documented the demise of the WMD programs using Iraqi documents.
The Republican party has to do better than Sarah Palin. She's not qualified to be President or Vice President. She's good at rallies and she has some good zingers. I'd be terrified if she was in the White House!
Jennifer--I wouldn't. I am terrified by the Leftwing extremists currently occupying the White House and Congress. Palin is far ahead of that bunch in terms of both competence AND Constitutional principles.
JOHN BOLTON!! O0H YEA!! SMART,QUICK,NATIONALIST........GO JOHNNY GO!!!!!!
John Bolton and Chris Christie would be a POWERHOUSE combination; I have goose bumps just thinking about it. Christie can rein in the out of control finances of the USA and Bolton can take care of foreign issues. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
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Greetings from Canada. I really like him. He is every week at 640news radio Toronto. Very sharp analyst. Straight to the point guy.
We sure have a lot of intellectuals on here today! Bolton is just what we need. I don't no if I'd call him a neo-con. I would tend to believe he has always been a hawk and that why I love him. Bolton for president!!! Oh ya, he never lied to his bosses. You liberal nut jobs keep harping over Iraq. You lost that battle, move on!
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