I'll bite, how about Rick Santggggaaack!

[We warned you. -ed]

Posted by: Steve at December 5, 2006 12:42 AM | Permalink to this comment

I think I heard George Mitchell's name floated. That would be great, but of course is quite impossible: the man's a Democrat, has successfully managed high-profile diplomatic missions (including the Good Friday accords), is a Democrat, enjoys the respect and trust of other countries and, above all, is a Democrat.

So there's no way Bush will name him.

Let's see. Who is hostile to the UN, belligerent to other diplomats, and agrees with Bush-Cheney's dingbat worldview?

How about Virginia's former Senator, George Felix Allen? He's just like Bush, only racist, too (that'll go over really well at the UN), and would appreciate a high-profile gig if he's still thinking about running for President in 2008.

Posted by: CaseyL at December 5, 2006 12:52 AM | Permalink to this comment

Do you guys actually think Bush would actually nominate someone who might do some good there? Look who he picked for Secretary of Defense. Sorry, but I don't think Gates will do a good job, nor will whoever Bush will pick.

Now, if I were president (and Republican) I would probably ask Colin Powell to represent me at the UN. While his reputation took a blow at that very location back in February 2003, he is still a very well respected man around the world, who will also look at protecting America first.

Posted by: Dan at December 5, 2006 01:43 AM | Permalink to this comment

Why not Jesse Helms? He could use a nice sinecure, and then nobody needs to miss Bolton.

Posted by: faux facsimile at December 5, 2006 03:09 AM | Permalink to this comment

Well, in lieu of what's strictly forbidden, how about Sick Rantorum? And wouldn't that be a suitable name for a U.S. "diplomat" at this point?

Posted by: dell at December 5, 2006 03:50 AM | Permalink to this comment

How about Karen Hughes?

Seriously, the names I've read about are Paula Dobriansky and Zalmay Khalilzad. Precedent suggests the UN Ambassadorship could remain vacant for quite some time. However, the path to Bolton's renomination has been plainly blocked for long enough that even if President Bush did not accept it, Sec. Rice and the White House staff must have. So, unless they are set on Khalilzad and just want to wait until moving him out of Baghdad would not send an unfortunate signal, it may be that an announcement will be forthcoming soon.

Posted by: Zathras at December 5, 2006 04:11 AM | Permalink to this comment

Z has almost got it. The correct answer is Karl Rove.

Posted by: CharleyCarp at December 5, 2006 05:07 AM | Permalink to this comment

A ham sandwich would be an improvement.

I'm guessing that the diplomatic corps must have dozens of Foreign Service Officers who are leagues more competent than Bolton ever was, and I expect that almost all of them have a sincere interest in working with the organization, instead of sabotaging it at every turn. It'd be kinda neat if the Beltway could tap a resource that it must know about. It's not like Jesse Helms is still there, representing the fucking moron constituency.

Posted by: sglover at December 5, 2006 06:55 AM | Permalink to this comment

A ham sandwich would be an improvement.

I'm guessing that the diplomatic corps must have dozens of Foreign Service Officers who are leagues more competent than Bolton ever was, and I expect that almost all of them have a sincere interest in working with the organization, instead of sabotaging it at every turn. It'd be kinda neat if the Beltway could tap a resource that it must know about. It's not like Jesse Helms is still there, representing the fucking moron constituency.

Posted by: sglover at December 5, 2006 06:59 AM | Permalink to this comment

In a perfect world, Mark Danforth would be asked back to signal that the Bush regime realizes how moronic it has been for the past six years....

I think I heard George Mitchell's name floated.

I can see Bush nominating a Dem, but one of the compliant types (think Lee Hamilton) rather than a competent one like Mitchell. Another name that comes to mind is Michael Steele -- for all the obvious reasons.

But personally, I think Bush should nominate Katherine Harris --- just for the giggle/jiggle factor alone.

Posted by: p.lukasiak at December 5, 2006 07:17 AM | Permalink to this comment

sglover: Can you nominate a ham sandwich? I don't see how it could get through committee without being nibbled at (or completely eaten, considering that Chris Dodd, who looks like he's got a good appetite, is a member).

Seriously though, I think Bush would be wise to nominate somebody like Dennis Prager. That'll teach those Koran worshiping devils.

Posted by: Quiddity at December 5, 2006 08:20 AM | Permalink to this comment

The correct answer is Karl Rove.

I think Rove is marginally more likely to be sent to Gitmo than to the UN.

Posted by: Anderson at December 5, 2006 02:11 PM | Permalink to this comment

Joseph Wilson?

Posted by: RWB at December 5, 2006 02:43 PM | Permalink to this comment

Pipe dream candidate, Bill Clinton. Is there any American political figure more respected and liked around the world.

Plausible yet not gonna happen Colin Powell

Probably gonna happen Otto Reich.

Posted by: jon at December 5, 2006 03:32 PM | Permalink to this comment

I vote for the ham sandwich.

But if you insist on a sentient being as our man in the UN, how about Jimmy Carter? Vernon Jordan? Geraldine Ferraro?

Just spitballing, really.

Posted by: LL at December 5, 2006 04:45 PM | Permalink to this comment

No, no, no. You've got to think - who's the least successful neocon or Iran-Contra era Republican out there. I'm thinking Eliot Abrams. Outside possibility of Donald Rumsfeld. The Bush Administration clearly wants someone who views the U.N. as something to be imploded. They don't want someone who will have a successful stay in Turtle Bay.

Posted by: James F. Elliott at December 5, 2006 05:14 PM | Permalink to this comment

Bring back Jeanne Kirkpatrick!

Posted by: Bret Eagan at December 5, 2006 06:06 PM | Permalink to this comment

actually it looks like jim leach might be the lead horse...nor should we discount zalmay khalilzad, of course.

Posted by: greg djerejian at December 5, 2006 06:20 PM | Permalink to this comment

greg:

I don't believe this administration would appoint an early public opponent of the Iraq war, no matter how distinguished he is. Which leaves us a thin, undistinguished bench. I doubt it's Leach. Maybe Khalilzad, as I don't think he is the indespensible man in Iraq. (The Shia don't especially like him.)

Posted by: appalled moderate at December 5, 2006 07:57 PM | Permalink to this comment

Well, since my first choice is out, how about Crazy Curt Weldon?

More seriously, I think James Elliot above is partly right. There's a part of the voices around the administration that still fear the black helicopters of the NWO, but at the same time haven't Bush's recent speeches suggested that if there was a way of dumping the whole Iraq mess off on the UN, he'd happily do it? (I guess I imagine him recalling how he got out of all the messes he made as a businessman.)

Posted by: JakeB at December 5, 2006 08:05 PM | Permalink to this comment

My money's on Jeb.

A) He's available, and is surely looking for more experience in the foreign policy sphere. Let's face it -- He's been practicing his insults on Castro secretly hoping one day he'll get to face the rest of the world. If he isn't ready now, he'll never be.

B) He's an insider. This is required. He'll toe any line, anytime, and only deliver the good news. Jeb grew up playing this game.

C) Mom and Dad are pulling for him, and so are Jenna and Barbara (The girls walk all over Bush 43, so they're now a very important constituency to suck up to in the family).

D) He's a member of PNAC. See A).

E) He's popular with hispanic voters, who will get a public reminder that Republicans represent them better than progressive Democrats.

F) Unlike Bolton, it's a safe bet he'll be confirmed.

I know he's a dark horse. In Bushs' world representing the country on the international stage is a step down from Governor. Not to mention he can still claim today that he wasn't a part of his brother's administration, or its egregious mistakes.

But the advantages -- it's only a two year gig, comes with all sorts of perks and parties, has a Very Serious Title and Job, and of course, keeps Jeb on the front page.

Who's with me?

Posted by: Redwretch at December 5, 2006 08:49 PM | Permalink to this comment

I'm thinking Mr. Noltob, who only coincidentally looks like John Bolton without a mustache.

Posted by: Dustbin Of History at December 6, 2006 12:15 AM | Permalink to this comment