Vote on Bush UN nominee delayed

The committee agreed to postpone the vote until next month after Ohio Republican Sen. George Voinovich said he was not yet prepared to vote for Bolton, who Democrats say has shown bullying behavior that made him unsuitable for the sensitive UN post.

"I've heard enough today that I don't feel comfortable about voting for Mr. Bolton," said Voinovich, stunning fellow Republicans who were set to muscle Bush's contentious pick through the committee on a 10-8 party-line vote.

Bush nominated Bolton, an outspoken critic of the United Nations, for the post last month, with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice saying he would be a strong voice for reform at the world body.

Without Voinovich's support, Bolton's nomination faced being bottled up in the committee on a tie that would not advance it to the full Senate.

After his comment, committee Chairman Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, agreed to put off the vote until next month on Bolton, who is the top US diplomat for arms control.