John Bolton Vows to "Work From Home"

WASHINGTON - President Bush's selection of John R. Bolton last month has stirred controversy because of his repeated expressions of disgust over the United Nations and some not too subtle criticism of North Korea.

Bolton is a blunt diplomat whose nomination as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. is opposed by most Democrats and some in the foreign policy establishment. He pledged Monday to help strengthen an institution that has occasionally "gone off the tracks, plunged off a bridge, and smashed into the bottom of a gorge." He further went on to say that, "They're not too competent over there either."

Sen. Richard Lugar, the Foreign Relations Committee chairman, spoke about the controversy, saying opponents have criticized Bolton as "abrasive, confrontational and insensitive."

Bolton, having been widely acknowledged as a good negotiator, then offered to ease the fears of Democratic Senators by working from home. "If others feel that I am abrasive, confrontational and insensitive... well, there's a good way to fix that. It's called telecommuting. I just dial in from home and 'Voila' (did you notice the French word?)... I'm ready for work. I don't even have to get dressed. I can wear pajamas... the official uniform of the telecommuter and the blogger."

Sen. Lugar praised Bolton's plan and suggested that there were a few Democrats he hoped would take his lead.