But Whose Name Is on the Check?

I Won't Be Denied, Bolton Could Have Roared

Senate Democrats continued working yesterday to block the nomination of Undersecretary of State John R. Bolton to be U.N. ambassador, but it's unclear the effort will gain traction.

Increasing chatter of late has it that Bolton most likely will be ordering room service in his ambassadorial suite in the Waldorf by Monday as a recess appointee. The appointment's good till the end of next year. Bolton would have plenty of time to prepare for the annual United Nations General Assembly extravaganza in New York beginning Sept. 13.

ESA Critics -- Innest of the In

Traditionally, talk of the great "grass roots" conjured the image of a wonderful place somewhere outside the Beltway, where good Americans live and have lawns. But now, it seems, those roots can just as easily be in Washington, even in the Capitol.

For example, in Southern Forest Products Association's April newsletter, there's talk about proposed changes, pushed by House Resources Committee Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-Calif.) to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). There was to be a committee hearing in Mississippi where the Grassroots ESA Coalition would "present its views" on how the act, which the newsletter said hurts tree farmers and ranchers, could be changed.

"Contact Kristin Schrader of the Grassroots ESA Coalition at 202-225-2761 for more information," the newsletter advised. Schrader also works at that number for Pombo as the Resources Committee's director of external affairs.

Judge's Disclaimer Lifted

Great news for the Interior Department. A three-judge appeals court panel yesterday temporarily stayed U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth 's order that the department, on all its communications, newsletters, e-mails and such, alert people that it is incompetent.

The panel said it wanted time to look things over before ruling on the order. Maybe they could rule it void for obviousness?

Trading Places

Substantial personnel movement at the U.S. trade representative's office:

E. Richard Mills , head of public and media affairs, is moving to the State Department to be a senior adviser to Deputy Secretary Robert B. Zoellick ,the former trade rep; Christopher A. Padilla , who has been head of the public liaison operation, is going to become Zoellick's chief of staff. Catherine "Cathy " Novelli , who had the key job in charge of Europe and the Mediterranean, has moved on, being replaced by longtime State Department official Shaun Donnelly . William Clatanoff , who had run labor matters at the trade rep's office, is retiring. Lewis Karesh is moving from the Labor Department to replace him.