[JURIST] Lead Democrats in the US Senate spoke out Sunday against President Bush's expected recess appointment [JURIST report] of John Bolton [official profile] as UN ambassador without a confirmation by Congress, saying he "lacks credibility" and would be "damaged goods." Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) [official website] told "Fox News Sunday" [media website] that this would be the first time since 1948 that a recess appointment was made for such a psotion and "That's not what you want to send up, a person that doesn't have the confidence of Congress." Republican Senator Mitch McConnell [R-KY) [official website] meanwhile defended Bolton's brash style on Fox saying he is "exactly what the UN needs at this point." No vote has been taken on Bolton's nomination due to accusations that he took advantage of intelligence analysts through his role as the head US diplomat for arms control and Bolton's inaccurate statements [JURIST report] on a confirmation process questionnaire. On Friday, Democratic Senators sent a letter [text] to President Bush opposing Bolton's recess appointment [CRS backgrounder, PDF]. If appointed, Bolton would only be able to serve as UN ambassador until January 2007, when a new Congress takes office. Reuters has more.