Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold On the Re-nomination of John Bolton to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations July 25, 2006 With ongoing crises in North Korea, Iran, and the Middle East, we need a U.N. ambassador who will work with other nations to address tough problems and get real results. In nearly twelve months on the job, Ambassador John Bolton has failed to demonstrate the leadership and diplomacy that are needed at this critical time. We need to make the U.N. more effective and more accountable, but real reform requires U.S. leadership, not just the brinksmanship that Ambassador Bolton has practiced. I look forward to questioning Ambassador Bolton when he testifies before the Foreign Relations Committee this week, but his performance to date raises serious questions about his fitness for this position.

# # #