Where the Heck is John Bolton?
Reported by Melanie - March 10, 2005
Sometimes what Fox News doesn't cover is as interesting and curious as what it does cover. I'm thinking now about the nomination of John Bolton as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Fox News's weekday business show, Your World w/Neil Cavuto, has devoted hours and hours of air-time to the U.N. Oil-for-Food "scandal." I've posted about it many times. I remember well the day in November, 2004 when Cavuto said the "scandal" had "officially grown to dwarf all others in the history of man!"
You would think that the appointment of a new ambassador to the UN, embroiled, as Fox claims, in the biggest scandal "in the history of man," would be a big story on Fox News. Additionally, if the Bush administration is so proud of its nomination of John Bolton, why isn't Bolton making the rounds at all the networks, much less Fox? Why isn't he on the radio? Come to think of it, where the heck is John Bolton?
He certainly hasn't been on Your World w/Neil Cavuto. As a matter of fact, as one who watches that show every day, I don't remember any significant mention of Bolton or his nomination. The fact of the nomination may have been covered in a news break, and he may have been mentioned in passing, but you know Fox. When Fox wants to get a point across, it devotes segment after segment to it. Think: the Oil-for-Food "scandal," or the Swift Boat Veterans "for Truth." There's no way you can miss it. Where are the bio pieces? Where are the segments with long-time Bolton friends talking about what a great job he'll do? When John Danforth was nominated he was profiled and praised. In the case of Bolton, Your World has essentially been silent.
I think I might know why. It appears the administration wants Bolton's confirmation hearing to be held as soon as next week. Apparently its afraid that if Bolton's name waves in the wind too long there will be time for organized and strong opposition to develop. See: The Washington Note.
Interesting. If Bolton's such a great choice, why isn't he everywhere? Here's a big clue. Again, what you don't see on Fox News can be as newsworthy as what you do see.
