The publication cited a "senior administration official" who said such a recess appointment "would antagonize relations with Democrats ahead of what is expected to be a contentious Senate debate over filling a vacancy on the Supreme Court."

But Washington insiders tell NewsMax that the Financial Times report is wrong.

The president has not abandoned John Bolton, and if he did, it would spell disaster for the president.

For starters, it would send a signal to the Democrats that the president can easily be blocked by their stonewalling antics. Such a message would bode ill for the president's nominee to replace Justice O'Connor, not to mention his anticipated opportunity to select the next chief justice when Rehnquist retires.

So far, the president has strongly supported Bolton. One insider tells NewsMax the president personally intervened with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to seek another Senate vote on his confirmation.

Failure to see Bolton's placement at the U.N. will not only seriously harm the president's leverage on Capitol Hill, it will also infuriate conservatives who see Bolton as one of a handful of Reaganites who occupy top administration positions.

The Financial Times qualified its report quoting a source: "Perhaps [the Bush administration] is trying to send a signal to [Bolton] that he should withdraw his name."

And perhaps some are trying to spin John Bolton out of a job at the U.N.

Editor's note:
The Stunning Truth About Hillary in Ed Klein’s New Book – Check out our FREE offer!
You Can Beat Cancer! Click Here Now