Okay, let me see if I've got this straight.... Bush APPROVED the deal.... he swears he'll VETO any attempt to block the deal.... and yet he's still going to find a way to DISTANCE himself from the deal.
We be's in Wackyland!
-Dan
Posted on 02/22/2006 4:19:34 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
THE White House sought to distance itself today from the US administration's approval of an Arab company's takeover of operations at major US ports, a day after President George W. Bush vowed to veto any legislation to block the deal.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the president was not aware of the pending deal until it was approved and had become public but then checked with cabinet secretaries to make sure they stood by their approval of the plan by state-controlled Dubai Ports World to manage six ports.
Mr Bush held a rare news conference on Air Force One yesterday to say the deal should go forward despite lawmakers concerns it posed security risks and said he would veto legislation aimed at stopping it.
"He made sure to check with them (the cabinet) even after this got more attention from the press, to make sure they were comfortable with the decision that was made. Every one of the Cabinet secretaries expressed that they were comfortable with this transaction being approved," Mr McClellan said.
Mr McClellan said the president "became aware of it over the last several days".
Asked if Mr Bush did not know about the ports deal until it was a "done deal", he said, "That's correct".
The question of whether state-controlled Dubai Ports World of the United Arab Emirates should be allowed to control the ports has sparked a political storm for Mr Bush at a time when he is struggling to boost sagging public approval ratings.
The White House continued a spirited defence of the deal, which has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike on Capitol Hill and vows to block the deal.
Mr McClellan said to not go forward with the deal would send a "terrible message" because it would hold a Middle Eastern company to a different standard than a British company and because the United Arab Emirates has been a strong partner in the war on terrorism.
Rejecting the deal, he said, could have consequences.
"You have to take into account the broader foreign policy implications," he said. "We should be working to broaden our partnership in the broader war on terrorism."
Concerns about the vulnerability of US ports have grown since the September 11 attacks.
In other words - liar, liar, pants on fire.
Ya think?
So GW didn't know about it, but he appointed one of the major players to a government position, but he will veto any attempted legislation to quell the deal, but he only found out about the deal a few days ago.
hmmmmmmmm
Not confusing...its pathetic.
Barbra Streisand. Misinformation a la "domestic spying program". At least report the facts....
It's called "doublespeak". Deny, Deny, Deny! Duh, I didn't know until it hit the news. I am wondering just what the President is allowed to know anymore. We need a Captain for our ship!
Weren't we hearing about a veto yesterday?
Deep sigh.
Every day I've been here people have posted about how the MSM spin things. I guess when they spin it their way, those opposed to this plan don't much mind.
Head mucky-muck of DPW left his position to become Bush's nominee last month and was confirmed two weeks ago to become the new head mucky-muck of the US Maritime Administration. Nope, GW didn't know a thing and I've got a bridge for sale.
We be's in Wackyland!
-Dan
If you tell a big enough lie often enough, the people will start to believe it.
You forgot to welcome ModelPlan to FR. ;^)
I disagree with the President on this decision. I do want to point out that the commission that reviews this typically reviews such matters without Presidential involvement. It's a commission that reviews such matters all the time. The President is not typically aware of each matter.
When this decision came to light, I think Bush was blindsided.
Since that time he may have reacted poorly, as is my opinion, but that's the extent of his involvement to this point as I understand it.
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