Bolton temporarily blocked

We take a break from trial reporting to bring you this breaking news:

After hours of heated exchanges over President Bush's nominee for the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a Senate vote to cut off debate on John Bolton failed late Thursday.

The cloture vote would have paved the way for a final Senate vote on the controversial nominee.

Republicans needed 60 votes to cut off the debate, and the vote was 56-42.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has said he wants a vote on the nomination to occur before the Memorial Day holiday.

NWPT45

After cloture, Bolton would need a simple majority to be confirmed by the Senate, which has 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats and one independent.

The debate on Bolton's nomination will now likely resume next month after senators return from their weeklong holiday break.

Very good! This is a smart move on the Democrats' part. It's not a true filibuster; the Dems are just holding off on cutting off the debate until the Bush Administration stops grandstanding and hands over the information they've requested on Bolton.

Also, we've heard that apparently, Democrats Landrieu (Louisiana) and Nelson (Nebraska) voted to cut off debate...we wish they would stick with the caucus.