McCaskill Would Probably Vote to Confirm Bolton; Early Break With Party

Senator-elect Claire McCaskill says the United States Senate should probably vote to confirm the nomination of John Bolton to the United Nations.

McCaskill made the comments on Thursday's Hardball with Chris Matthews.

"You know, I haven`t had a chance it review all of Mr. Bolton`s record. But, you know, I am a believer that the president has certain picks that he is entitled to. As long as I`m convinced that they are serious about beginning work on diplomacy. Obviously that has been kind of AWOL in this administration, that emphasis on building alliances. Now is the time to remain committed to the United Nations. Not to withdraw. I would want to get those assurances from Mr. Bolton. And if he could give those assurances than I would probably be deferential to the president on this pick," McCaskill said to Matthews.

But Democrats have said they are primed to block Bolton's continued nomination.

This from Reuters:

John Bolton's troubled nomination as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is "going nowhere," a key Democratic senator said on Wednesday after Democrats scored big in mid-term elections. Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware is expected to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in January.

Ousted lame-duck Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee also said he'd join Democrats in helping block Bolton.

If Bolton is blocked in committee as expected, McCaskill will probably never have to actually cast a vote on the embattled nominee.