Ports, Ports, Ports…
…my kingdom for a horse (I haven’t had a winner in weeks). If you’re wondering what the hell I’m talking about, so am I…let’s see, where was I? Oh, yeah, ports!
It’s all about the ports, now, isn’t it? Still, it’s better than it all being about the Vice President’s hunting accident, so I shouldn’t complain.
Jim Geraghty at TKS has a long, excellent post that sheds a lot of light for those whose minds are still open to persuasion…
Kevin Drum says he’s open to argument, but he’s apparently not buying what Geraghty’s selling…
AJ’s about ready to throw up his hands over the whole thing…
Rick Santorum makes a singularly unpersuasive case against the deal here…
Kos takes advantage of the story to (what else?) attack Lieberman…
Arianna is (I’m shocked!) opposed, opposed, opposed (one wonder what her reaction would be if the deal had been approved by a President Kerry, no?)…
Lawrence Kudlow says let’s call it what it is…Islamophobia…
Opposition to this proposal, absent a clear undestanding of the facts, clearly fits the Webster’s definition of the word ‘xenophobia’.
Do the publicly avowed opponents expect us to believe that the Administration didn’t expend the appropriate energy to properly vet this proposed takeover of the operation of our ports? Are we to believe that the same Administration that commenced the “Global War on Terror” is somehow asleep at the switch on the topic of the management of some of our most strategicly important ports?
Nuts.
PORT SCANDAL SPOILER ALERT:(or “How Karl got His Groove Back”)
This thing is going to play out badly for those who are too far out in front, goodbye Rick, Bill, and Tom-haven’t seen this much political acumen since you got out in front on Schiavo…their intrepidness was my first clue that this is going to play well for Bush. Malkin and Savage finding common groun with the left would be another clue.
First of all-the WH wants to keep their cards in their hand until its time to sit at the table, or in this case, the inevitable hearings. It will be the finishing act of this surprisingly major political victory, on both domestic and foreign fronts. Letting the congress(people) mislabel and misrepresent the situation by using the phrases “don’t want them responsible for security” and “‘buying’ our ports” are about to get a shellacking. Scotty might make a small quip about how some Senators have misrepresented the facts, the press will call him to name names, David Gregory will sh*t his pants, again, but Scotty wont’ cave, expecting the reporters to actually read what has been said.
The neo-cons have too much riding on this baby: they have been under the perception that the UAE has been our ally, and realize the risk of alienating one of the most influential and progressive players in the ME. I speculate that Monsoor chased Krauthammer down and told him how important the UAE is and how this would have significant effects on our best ally in the region. Krauthammer will, in a very similar fashion to the Harriet Miers situation, offer the fig leaf that will make the deal palatable to enough people so that they can save face. This time it will be those who oppose Bush who will be eating crow. Tonite on Special Report Charles just offerred the initial remedy that will take shape in a Krauthammer article later this week-a little more oversight of the company and port by a US contingent. (It hurt the neo-cons to fight over Meirs, and this is a kiss and make up time.)
Bob Dole is just the beginning of supporters that will lobby on behalf of the UAE. Colin Powell will provide a Sunday editorial, or make the rounds on the Sunday talk shows. All of this is just the set up for the actual hearings. The people who will be called to testify will all be wearing uniforms, expressing their belief that the UAE is our ally and deserves respect. Some of the questioning will actually spinoff to comparison of racism and discrimination, which will no doubt provide great fireworks.
The closing witness can be some immigrant from the UAE to describe how they perceive this…not good news for opponents of the deal.
The hidden fruit in all of this-Arab Americans. (I’m sure John Zogby is coming out with a classic poll that does not express personal bias,
. )
Michigan has a dem governor at 41% and a Dem Senator at 49% by surveyusa.com. The state also possesses 500,000 Arab Americans, who would be seething if they perceived discrimination against fellow Arabs. No amount of inoculation is going to help those who wish to steer this away from the fact that Arabs are being portrayed as incapable of leasing our ports based on the actions of a few. The blogs will whine and cry about what Malkin and Savage have always said: they are arabs and you can’t trust them.
Please god let this go before the Foreign Relations Committee…
IT would feature the unserious Biden, the shrill Boxer, Obama-who will be extremely careful to avoid making the ‘correlation is causation’ argument, and JFK, the 04 silver medalist. The motley crew would be played against our military and there is little doubt who will appear better. Might even get a surprise Rummy appearance.
Bottom line:
Bush gets his deal, earns respect with the UAE, and demonstrates that he still has the lead on all things foreign policy. He also wins a major political dispute in the face of opposition from his party and the dems, that came out strong against it. He won’t have to veto anything, but will graciously accept a delay to allow time for the hearings that will put a stake in the heart of the opponents of this deal. As rove always said, For Pol is the issue that will win 06, and Bush is still the master.
I’m not sure enough people will pay attention long enough for your scenario to play out fully.
the hearings are inescapable.