(2004-04-22) -- Embattled U.N. Ambassador nominee John Bolton stunned the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today by withdrawing from consideration for the U.N. post in order to challenge Ohio Republican George Voinovich for his Senate seat in 2006.

"You must become the change you wish to see," said Mr. Bolton, quoting his 'tranquility mentor', Mahatma Gandhi. "And as I sat before that committee last week, I thought it would be nice to see a real Republican Senator sitting in Voinovich's empty chair."

Mr. Voinovich, who is a Republican, failed to attend last week's confirmation hearings and this week said he couldn't vote because his Democrat colleagues appeared agitated about unproven allegations against Mr. Bolton.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said, "While President Bush regrets losing a qualified U.N. Ambassador, he looks forward to campaigning for Mr. Bolton for Senate, and only wishes he could run in Rhode Island as well."