Bravo to the Senate for doing the right thing and delaying the Bolton proceedings. For the most succinct reasons to reject this guy, read here and here. Kevin Drum correctly points out that Bolton's abusive, a-hole side is secondary to the more important reason to nix him: "he doesn't believe in the UN's mission, he doesn't believe in international law, he has a history of deliberately misrepresenting intelligence information that doesn't fit his agenda, and he would have no credibility with his peers. That's why he's egregiously unqualified for the job." And finally this from Colin Powell's former chief of staff, "Do I think John Bolton would make a good ambassador to the United Nations? Absolutely not. He is incapable of listening to people and taking into account their views. He would be an abysmal ambassador." Just another incredibly poor choice by GW for a high-profile position, nothing new here.

Meanwhile, as North Korea edges closer to building nuclear bombs, we get this:

"U.S. policy is essentially nowhere," says Joel Wit, a North Korea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "The U.S. won't negotiate," he says, "so there's no chance of a diplomatic settlement. And there's no chance of punishing [North Korea] either because the other countries won't support the U.S."

Wonderful. Supposedly, things are going swimmingly in a country we invaded that was to have WMD, and never did, and yet a country we've known for years has WMD and is indeed a growing and grave threat, we have no answer, no proposed solution.

At this point, is it a mystery why GW's poll numbers are so low? In fact, his approval rating has now reached a low not attained by any president since WW II at this point in his 2nd term. Yet, what's so different now vs. last November? How does a man with such scant positive ratings manage to win reelection not too long ago? It clearly shows the power of Rove's manipulations, lies, and distortions around campaign time -- anything to win. If the majority of the public convey dissatisfaction now, they have only themselves to blame.