(CNSNews.com) - Senate Republicans fell six votes short of the 60 needed to end the Democrat-led filibuster of John Bolton, nominated by President Bush to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

"It's disappointing that Senate Democrats are more committed to obstructionism than they are to reforming the United Nations," the Republican National Committee said in a press release.

"President Bush nominated John Bolton because he is the right man to reform the United Nations and he has clear majority support. By continuing to put partisan politicking above the interest of the American people, Democrats in Washington show their true colors, and where their priorities lie," said RNC Press Secretary Tracey Schmitt.

While some press reports described the Bolton nomination as dead in the water, others said President Bush may appoint Bolton when Congress leaves town for its July 4 recess.

"It is critical that we get him in place," White House spokesman Scott McClellan was quoted as saying on Monday.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said President Bush is the obstructionist, for failing to hand over more documents and information pertaining to Bolton's previous service at the State Department.

Senate Democrats say the White House refusal to give them the information they want is the reason they won't end debate on Bolton's nomination, but Republicans say it's just an excuse:

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) called the blocked Bolton vote typical Washington gamesmanship.

"This game of saying, 'Well, we're not going to give an up-or-down vote until we have more information' is a self-perpetuating process because once additional information is supplied, then there is always a request for more-the goal posts always move just a little bit further.

"As the documents and information pile up, the objections become less and less believable. And to say the document requests are what are stopping the vote after volumes of information have been produced erodes credibility.

Cornyn called Bolton just the right person to "shake up the United Nations, to make it a more effective international organization" that has so far been "unwilling and unable to stand up to tyrants."

This was the second time the Senate failed an attempt to cut off debate on Bolton's nomination.

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