Those who said that John Bolton wouldn't work out as U.S. ambassa dor to the United Nations because he's too undiplomatic to be an effective diplomat just got another service of crow on which to munch.

Bolton this week neatly organized a majority coalition to block Hugo Chavez's Venezuela from getting the Latin American seat on the Security Council.

A nation needs two-thirds of the 192-member General Assembly to win a two-year term on the council. After a near-record 22 rounds of voting Monday and Tuesday, U.S.-backed Guatemala ended with 102 votes, while Venezuela was way back with 77. Speculation grew that both countries will eventually withdraw in favor of a consensus candidate, such as Chile.

Make no mistake, though; the rejection of Venezuela is a victory for the United States - and for Bolton.

Chavez has been the bully on the regional block for years, capitalizing on Venezuela's oil wealth. He's been adopted by Cuba's ailing Fidel Castro, and thus stands to step in as the region's left-wing champion for the 21st Century.

A seat on the Security Council would give Chavez an international platform to spew his anti-American rhetoric - much as he used his address to the General Assembly last month to attack President Bush.

Thanks to Bolton, that likely won't happen...