Washington ? John R. Bolton, President Bush’s sharp-elbowed nominee to become U.N. ambassador, survived a cliffhanger Senate committee vote Thursday after renewed criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, leaving the final confirmation decision to the full Senate.

The Foreign Relations Committee voted 10-8 along party lines to advance Bolton’s nomination without the customary recommendation that the Senate approve it. The procedural move spared Bush outright defeat in the Republican-led committee but still represented an embarrassing setback early in his second term.

The pivotal vote came from Ohio Republican Sen. George Voinovich, who said Bolton was at times a bully whose short fuse would have gotten him fired in the private sector.

“This is not behavior that should be endorsed as the face of the United States to the world community at the United Nations,” Voinovich said. “It is my opinion that John Bolton is the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should not be.”

It was not clear when Bolton’s nomination would come to the Senate floor. Republicans hold a 55-44 majority, making confirmation likely. One wild card: Democrats could still try to block a final vote.

The White House predicted eventual victory despite Voinovich’s harsh assessment and weeks of tumult about whether Bolton abused subordinates, stretched government intelligence to fit a preconceived ideology or misled the Senate committee.