Trump's flirtation with Bolton sends shivers through Senate

Not all members of the foreign policy establishment are writing off Bolton’s chances in the Senate this time. Lawmakers may be open to someone who can balance out Trump’s isolationist streak and who understands the U.S. bureaucracy. Trump’s lack of foreign policy knowledge and Tillerson’s lack of government experience also could boost Bolton.

“Normally he would be seen as an extreme outsider and pushing in a direction a lot of traditional foreign policy types would be uncomfortable with, but in this administration … some people may see Bolton as a steadying force,” said Tom Wright, director of the Project on International Order and Strategy at the Brookings Institution…

Within the State Department, feelings about Bolton are mixed. On the one hand, there’s deep concern about animus toward the U.S. foreign service. On the other hand, there’s an appreciation whenever Trump chooses someone with knowledge of the field.

“John Bolton, while he is a divisive figure, people understand that he knows how the State Department works,” an employee of the department said in a recent interview. “He’s often viewed as hostile toward the bureaucracy, but he also knows how to use it and take advantage of its strengths.”