Schumer Misled Reporters on Port Security Experts

Chickenhawk Express ^ | 3/20/06 | Chickenhawk Warmonger

[Chickenhawk Warmonger]

Not only did Sen. Chuck Schumer stir up the political firestorm against DP World at the behest of Eller & Co, but Schumer’s staff sent reporters on a wild goose chase for experts to back up his claims.

According to “Dubai or Not Dubai: Chuck on Killed Deal”, by Ben Smith and published by the New York Observer, Joe Muldoon III, a lobbyist for Eller & Co, “put together a white paper arguing that the deal could compromise US security”. In LATE JANUARY, a copy of the white paper was given to Schumer aide, Josh Vlasto. When Ted Bridis from the Associated Press contacted his office on Feb. 10, Schumer conveyed a “cautious, critical note.”

Adam Davidson of National Public Radio was unable to find any port-security experts that agreed with Schumer’s assertion about the negative impact of DP World on port security. Schumer’s office provided Davidson with names of two experts who they said agreed with the security threat theory. Davidson contacted both experts and both stated that there was NO security threat. Risa Heller, Schumer’s press secretary, stated they thought the two experts agreed with Schumer’s security concerns.

Meanwhile, Schumer “pressed the Senate to vote on the issue immediately before the White House could tamp down the furor.” The next day, DP World agreed to turn the US ports over to a US entity.

How does Schumer feel about the results of the ports deal? He stated “This gives Democrats a window that opens on other security issues.”

So let's review - no experts could be produced by Schumer that agreed with the security threat posed by DP World. Schumer knew about the ports deal in late January. Plus he viewed the uproar as a political antidote to the Democrats' lack of national security history. Despite this, the Republicans in Congress claim 'victory'.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[onyx]

LOL --- that says it all.

[decal]

HEY, I type with two fingers, TOO, y'know....

"Of greater concern to me are all the Bush-hating FReepers who claim to be patriotic conservatives or Republicans."

Most of them aren't Republicans or even conservative; they're Libertarians and Constitution Party members who think that purity is better than actually getting something done - lucky for the rest of us their wasted votes aren't worth much (although the LP almost cost Pres. Bush Florida in 2000).

[1035rep]

Surely, you don't believe all these basher's are conservatives. Anyone can sign up here and disrupt. Have you noticed that some of them have never said one good thing about the President?

Who besides a liberal believes he has never done a single thing right?

[onyx]

Of greater concern to me are all the Bush-hating FReepers who "claim" to be patriotic conservatives or Republicans.





Keyword "claim" --- you get it.
You know they're posers.

[onyx]

BUMP!
You caught on quickly! You have them nailed.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

No, I don't believe they actually are conservatives, but most of them claim to be.

Pick at them long enough and their masks drop.

I know DUmmies lurk on FR, from lurking over there.

[bray]

Paging Miss Hannity, paging miss Hannity, Please pick-up the White Courtesy Phone.. You've been Duped!

Talk about an emotional hissy fit!

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters

[1035rep]

I started my research right away because I couldn't believe some of the stuff I was reading. Once I understood what was going on it became easier to ignore them.

[Rocky]

Schumer lied? I'm shocked.

[Gator113]

Good job!

Thank you for your efforts.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Patriotism? Profiteering? Or, Just Plain Old Political Positioning?

[Cannoneer No. 4]

The Dubai Ports World Controversy and the Conundrum of the Pro-War Right

[Cannoneer No. 4]

http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/political/configpol.pl?noframes;read=15328

[WanderingOisin]

Democrats... mislead?

Deceive?

_Lie?

Say it ain't so!

The dems are just fighting for the little man, the little man, I tell you!.

/sarcasm

[Miss Marple]

Thank you so much for your hard work on this issue. I really appreciate this post. Have you sent it to Tony Snow? He was very good on the Dubai story and actually went after facts, rather than hysteria.

[McGavin999]

It's amazing what panic and stoking emotions can do, isn't it? I can't believe that so many on this board were manipulated into doing the work of the DNC.

[McGavin999]

Most of them aren't Republicans or even conservative; they're Libertarians and Constitution Party members who think that purity is better than actually getting something done - lucky for the rest of us their wasted votes aren't worth much (although the LP almost cost Pres. Bush Florida in 2000).

The make up about 10% of FreeRepublic, yet during things like this they do about 90% of the posts. When this sort of thing starts, most of the sane people flee the boards leaving just a few of us to duke it out with them. They want to destroy the republican party because they think everyone will turn to their guy.

[LibLieSlayer]

Kinda like the girl that sleeps with a man on the first date, gives him her phone number, and waits patiently by the phone for the call that will NEVER come!

LLS

[Chickenhawk Warmonger]

OMG - I have one of that companies calendars. It is a scream! Check out http://www.despair.com for some laughs!