George W. Bush is about to fritter away his party's last advantage.

Washington Times ^ | February 24, 2006 | Wes Pruden

[When_Penguins_Attack]

George W. Bush is about to fritter away his party's last advantage. What Republicans have had going for them is that they aren't Democrats. Over the past few days we've seen the men at the top of the Grumpy Old Party drifting toward something that looks suspiciously like an Old Boys' Party. When he hears applause only from Jimmy Carter, who gave away the Panama Canal (now controlled by the Chinese), and Bill Clinton, his newly adopted little brother, George W. should be looking for the panic button. Once they're no longer regarded as the toughest party on national security the Republicans will be burnt toast.

[When_Penguins_Attack]

Let forth the howling dogs who will now decide that Wes Pruden is a closet lib, or disloyal, or that they never liked him anyway.

I wish we had Republican leadership who believed in something besides being in power.

[LS]

He's not a closet lib, but he completely underestimates Bush just like everyone, both left and right, has done for five years. After Harriet Miers, all I heard was, "The Republicans are finished." Sorry, they are stronger than ever. Just a year ago we were hearing that the GOP would lose seats in both the House and Senate. Not likely. They may gain up to three in the Senate (plus one is more of a likelihood).

I'm here to tell you that outside of FR and some of the talk shows, no one GIVES A DAMN about the ports. It ranks up there with the Winter Olympics in terms of interest. I know the die-hards just don't get that, but it's reality.

[Coop]

The only howling going on around here is from those freaking out about "Arabs running our ports!" and "secret deals."

[indcons]

The usual culprits will be along shortly to discuss the 100 million that the UAE gave for Katrina and all other nonsense. They will conveniently forget to note the active support the UAE officials provide to the Palestine suicide bombers and other terrorist causes.

[saveliberty]

I think that these have a lot to do with W's distance from DC Establishment Conservatives. I am pretty sure that it's not that he dislikes them, but that he understands that it's really hard to do things differently and when you deal with the Establishment in politics, it's even harder than it would be in the dreaded private sector.

[Wolfie]

Corporate interests no longer take a backseat to anything, including national security. So it goes.

[TXBSAFH]

I would disagree with you, the port deal has been water cooler conversation at my work off and on all week. About 2/3 against and most critical of GW.

[CWOJackson]

You mean the way some people are quick to forget that DP World and Dubai are critical elements in the logistics support for our troops fighting the war? Or how we trust them to provide services and support for the largest contingent of U.S. Navy vessels outside the U.S...including our European so-called friends?

The same UAE that earns high praise and support from General Tommy Franks and Colonel Ollie Northl; both of whom have a little bit of first hand knowledge and experience in national defense, terrorism, the middle east and the UAE.

[indcons]

No point discussing reality with some people. For them, black is white, up is down, and the UAE is the best ally in the WOT.

[indcons]

Why don't you add the UAE's chief lobbyist, Bob Dole, to that list?

[Spiff]

George W. Bush is about to fritter away his party's last advantage

George W. Bush is about to fritterhas frittered away his party's last advantage

[When_Penguins_Attack]

The same UAE that earns high praise and support from General Tommy Franks and Colonel Ollie North

Tommy Franks has my ear.

Ollie North is a party hack who ceased having any ideas of his own a long long time ago, and whose hubris caused VA to lose a Republican Senate seat when it really mattered.

[IrishMike]

For 5 years and counting...
These liberals have made a full time job
of 'mis-underestimating' G. W. Bush.

[CWOJackson]

Why? I don't need any more then Franks and North.

[CWOJackson]

I'm with you half way on Colonel North; up till we went into Iraq. He's spent a whole lot of time over there since then with our boys and girls and directly plugged in.

[beyond the sea]

You're most likely right, but I think the thing Republicans have to worry about is how the media is able to distort this, as they always do, to make it look like Bush has lost his "security senses".

****

by the way, I got a kick out of your post earlier this morning:

Bushbot: anyone who can't come up with six new reasons to hate President Bush by noon each day.

Real Conservative: those who can.

True Conservative: the eight people who can AND who bought pat buchanan's last book.

ROFL

[Defendingliberty]

The parties last advantage is ....We are not socialists....

[wolfcreek]

I to, was a bit shocked that the UAE would OWN the rights to control SOME terminals at SOME of our ports. After further review, I have come to the realization that this is merely a change of ownership between to foreign countries and other than that fact, it's probably better than having the ChiComs owning more of our terminals.

[Cagey]

no one GIVES A DAMN about the ports

You're wrong on that one. I've been hearing people who rarely talk about politics discussing this issue.

[indcons]

And have either of them discussed the telethons conducted by the Crown Prince of Dubai for Palestinian suicide bombers (after 9/11)? What about the close connections between OBL, the UAE royal family, the Taliban, and AQ Khan?

Selective memory, eh?