At a meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition yesterday, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich recieved a standing ovation when he announced that if he were elected President he would ask former UN Ambassador John Bolton as his choice for Secretary of State.  Presumptive?  Maybe.  Arrogance?  No.  Smart?  Absolutely.

What better place to announce Bolton as his choice for Secretary of State than in front of the Republican Jewish Coalition, especially keeping in mind that the Ambassador  has called for an Israeli strike on Iran?  (And in 2007 Bolton went so far as saying that he "Absolutely’ Hope The U.S. Will Attack Iran In The Next ‘Six Months'".)  Given the current US position on Iran, which granted has strengthened in recent weeks thanks to the sabre rattling of current Secretary of State Clinton, Bolton would be a welcome relief to a worried Jewish population.  (Gingrich also added some more relief by saying he would move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem.)

I contacted Ambassador Bolton's Assistant Christine Samuelian and asked her if the Ambassador had any comment on Gingrich's statement.  Her response was that:

"Mr. Bolton has not endorsed any candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.  He has spoken to a number of those running, and he would be happy to discuss national security issues with anyone in the race."

My gut feeling, which is pure speculation, is that the Ambassador would accept the offer and the United States would be very lucky if he did.