Nominee: U.N. must play critical role
John Bolton faces tough questions from senators
 |  John Bolton makes a point during Monday's hearing on Capitol Hill. |
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 Democrats grilled John Bolton, offering tough criticism.
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| JOHN R. BOLTON | AGE: 56; born November 20, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree from Yale University, summa cum laude, 1970; law degree from Yale Law School, 1974
EXPERIENCE: Undersecretary of state for arms control and international security since May 11, 2001; assistant U.S. attorney general, 1985-1989; assistant administrator for program and policy coordination, U.S. Agency for International Development, 1982-1983; general counsel, U.S. Agency for International Development, 1981-1982; associate at the Washington office of Covington & Burling, 1974-81; partner in the law firm of Lerner, Reed, Bolton & McManus, 1993-99
FAMILY: Married to the former Gretchen Brainerd; one daughter.
Source: AP
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- John Bolton, President Bush's choice to represent the United States at the United Nations, told senators Monday that the world body must play "a critical role" that requires "strong American leadership."
Bolton appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he faced tough questions -- especially from Democrats on the panel.
In his opening statement, Bolton said that if confirmed as U.S. ambassador to the U.N., he would pursue four priorities: Strengthening institutions that bolster democracy and freedom, stemming the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, supporting the war against terrorism, and fighting humanitarian crises such as the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Bolton said that the president and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were committed to the U.N., but he stressed that it must be reformed so that its authority is not undermined by scandal.
"Now more than ever, the U.N. must play a critical role as it strives to fulfill the dreams and hopes and aspirations of its original promise to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom," Bolton said.
"This effort demands decisive American leadership, broad bipartisan support and the backing of the American public."
Bolton has drawn criticism for his sometimes blunt comments about the U.N., including a 1994 statement that "there is no such thing as the United Nations."
"If the U.N. secretary building in New York lost 10 stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference," he said during a Federalist Society forum.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat, confronted Bolton with a videotape of that speech.
"My overall assessment, Mr. Bolton, is that you have nothing but disdain for the United Nations," she said. "It's hard for me to know why you'd want to work at an institution that you said didn't even exist."
Bolton defended his comments, telling the panel, "My criticisms during the 1990s were in large measure because of what I thought was the lack of effective American leadership."
"Sadly, there have been times when the General Assembly has gone off track," he said, citing a resolution equating Zionism with racism. "I'm proud to have been an active player in getting this resolution repealed."
Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, the ranking Democrat on the panel, said that he had "grave concern" about Bolton's nomination.
Biden said that he respected Bolton's abilities and intellectual capacity, but he questioned his judgment and temperament.
"We need a strong voice in New York who knows the U.N. and who can advance our reform agenda. But we don't need a voice which people may not be inclined to listen to," Biden said. "And I fear that, knowing your reputation -- and your reputation known well at the U.N. -- people will be inclined to tune you out."
Committee chairman Sen. Richard Lugar said that Bolton's tough talk might just be what the U.N. needs.
"The next U.S. ambassador to the U.N. must pursue reform without diminishing the effectiveness of his core diplomatic mission: namely, securing greater international support for the national security and foreign policy objectives of the United States," the Indiana Republican said.
"In this context, opponents of Mr. Bolton have criticized some statements of the nominee as abrasive, confrontational and insensitive. Some of these same statements have been celebrated by supporters of the nominee, as demonstrating a tough-minded, refreshingly blunt approach to diplomacy."
Sen. George Allen, a Virginia Republican, said Bolton was "the absolute perfect person" for the job.
"You'll bring a credibility to the United Nations that they sorely need," Allen told Bolton.
Bolton was repeatedly asked about allegations that he tried to have a State Department analyst reassigned because the analyst did not agree with him.
He said that he thought the analyst had acted inappropriately by criticizing him behind his back.
Bolton said that he did not want the man to be punished but that he did tell his supervisor that he had lost trust in the analyst.
The hearing was interrupted briefly when three protesters holding signs shouted "No on Bolton," and other slogans.
A vote by the committee could come Thursday, and Republicans hold a 10-8 majority on the panel. The full Senate would then consider the nomination.
Bolton has been undersecretary of state for arms control and international security since May 2001. Previously, he was senior vice president of the American Enterprise Institute, a nonprofit public policy center.
During the past three Republican administrations, Bolton has held positions in the State and Justice departments as well as in the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Bolton holds bachelor's and law degrees from Yale University. He is a native of Baltimore, Maryland.
If confirmed, Bolton will replace John Danforth, who left the post in January after less than seven months on the job. In his resignation letter, Danforth cited a desire to spend more time with family and health concerns as his reasons for stepping down.
Anne Patterson, a career foreign service officer, has been the acting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations since Danforth's departure.
