GOP Sens McCain, Graham, and Chambliss Confirm Samantha Power for UN

On August 1, the Senate confirmed Samantha Power as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. by a vote of 87 to 10. This included the support of Sens. John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA). 

These three Republicans and others who went along with them allowed Power to garner far “more support than critics had predicted.”

The Los Angeles Times described the hurdles Power faced early in the confirmation process when she had to overcome the impression she supported an apologetic international policy. Breitbart News reported that in 2003, Power wrote an op-ed in the New Republic in which she said we need a “historical reckoning with crimes committed, sponsored, or permitted by the United States.”

At this same time, other Power writings seemed to indicate her belief that Israel was the problem in the Middle East peace process rather than part of the solution.

During the past few weeks, Power assured Senators she would not apologize for the U.S. and would “fight efforts to attack the legitimacy of Israel in the U.N. or anywhere else.” These assurances were good enough for McCain, Graham, Chambliss, and a host of other GOP Senators to give a yes vote. 

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