I picked this up in a news flash from the Washington Post:

Unable to win Senate confirmation, U.N. Ambassador John Bolton will step down when his recess appointment expires soon, the White House said Monday.

Bolton’s nomination has languished in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for more than a year, blocked by Democrats and several Republicans. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, a moderate Republican who lost in the midterm elections Nov. 7 that swept Democrats to power in both houses of Congress, was adamantly opposed to Bolton.

[…]

Although Bush could not give Bolton another recess appointment, the White House was believed to be exploring other ways of keeping him in the job, perhaps by giving him a title other than ambassador. But Bolton informed the White House he intended to leave when his current appointment expires, White House deputy press secretary Dana Perino said.

Bush planned to meet with Bolton and his wife later Monday in the Oval Office.

This is a shame, and yet another example of how ailing our congressional system is. While I do not always like Bolton’s methods, I cannot fault his drive, insight, and raw determination. He is a credit to his post, unfailing in his pursuit of American ideals and policy on the world stage.

From the AP article it looks as if Bolton steeped down himself not under pressure from the Whitehouse. I am sure Bolton saw the writing on the wall with the shift of congressional control to the Democrats.

Whoever replaces him will have a difficult job, and big shoes to fill. The UN will be a more hostile place for the US now. We shoudl seriously consider pulling out of that crippled and corrupt organization and reinvesting our money and efforts into something more solid and capable, like NATO.

Also reporting:
Michelle Malkin
American Pundit
Hot Air
Stop The ACLU
7.62mm Justice
Stuck on Stupid
OTB