Frist Changes Position, Says He Now Supports Port Security Plan

San Luis Obispo Tribune ^ | 02/26/2006 | Ryan Alessi

[JackQuickFrost]

LEXINGTON, Ky. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Saturday night that after recent briefings, he is now comfortable with an Arab-owned company running port security for six American cities and backed off a pledge to pass legislation to stop the deal.

But Frist, a Tennessee Republican who was in Lexington for a state GOP dinner, told reporters that the next few days will be crucial for other members of Congress to press intelligence officials about the details of such an arrangement.

"My comfort level is good, but I have 99 other United States senators who need the opportunity to ask their questions," he said before speaking to 900 Kentucky Republicans at Lexington Center.

"We're behind the president 100 percent. We believe the decision in all likelihood is absolutely the right one," Frist added.

Last weekend, it became public that the Bush administration had approved the sale of a port operations company to Dubai Ports World.

On Tuesday, Frist initially criticized the move and threatened legislation to stop it. Friday, aides to Frist told The Washington Post that he would wait to be briefed by the company before taking a stand. He said Saturday night that many of his fears were allayed by briefings by his aides.

While he said Saturday night that legislation may not be necessary now, he said having "30 to 45 days" to step back and evaluate the deal still could be necessary. A first deadline comes Thursday when the contract with Dubai Ports World is expected to be consummated.

"If there's some question about the diagnosis, then maybe we need to get a second opinion,"said Frist, a former heart surgeon.

Frist, following a host of Kentucky Republican politicians, then went on to give a stock political speech with an angle toward the 2006 elections to the audience who paid $75 per plate to attend Saturday night's statewide Lincoln Day Dinner. Scores of them also wrote $1,000 checks for a pre-dinner reception. All the money goes into the Kentucky Republican Party's coffers.

Frist hammered on the notion that grass-roots efforts must be the GOP's strength.

The Kentucky Democratic Party, in a pre-emptive strike, issued a statement Friday saying Frist had "failed the American people" by allowing "tax cuts for the wealthy, record deficits and I outsourcing of American jobs overseas."

Frist included his own dig at Democrats in his remarks. "What do they really believe? What do they really stand for? Do they really know where they're going?" he asked. "That's the difference between us and them."

Other top Kentucky GOP officials, including Senate President David Williams and House minority leader Jeff Hoover, rallied the faithful in preparation for this fall's legislative election.

And as they took turns at the podium, the health of Gov. Ernie Fletcher became a recurring topic. He is recovering from pancreatitis and the removal of his gallbladder and did not attend.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell noted that he spoke with Fletcher by phone Saturday and said, "He sounded strong."

First lady Glenna Fletcher then read to the crowd a lengthy letter written by the governor that largely echoed his statewide policy speech last month.

One notable addition, however, got some chuckles. "Working with partisan Democrats has been bitter, but I didn't realize it was having such an effect on my gallbladder," Glenna Fletcher read.

[veronica]

I've seen worms with stronger spines than this guy.

[harpu]

Hannity and Levin may have gone too far to back pedal now...

[Dustbunny]

Frist Changes Position, Says He Now Supports Port Security Plan

Of course he has. It was stupid of him to jump on the band wagon without first discovering where it was going. Or for those in Rio Linda he had a 'knee jerk' reaction that he now regrets.

[madconserv]

"he is now comfortable with an Arab-owned company running port security for six American cities"
Hold up! This can't be a direct quote! Frist has got to know this has nothing to do with port security being run by a Arab CO.! Also that statement in the article is not in ",s. This article is BIASED!

[carolina_rn7]

Esau's blood kin DO mean us harm. "If in doubt don't" as Grandma used to say. Being PC and a globalist at any price will be our undoing. This will turn out bad IMO in the end. It's not worth the risk no matter who it offends.

[tet68]

The Kentucky Democratic Party, in a pre-emptive strike, issued a statement Friday saying Frist had "failed the American people" by allowing "tax cuts for the wealthy, record deficits and outsourcing of American jobs overseas."

"tax cuts for the wealthy, record deficits and outsourcing of American jobs overseas."
"tax cuts for the wealthy, record deficits and outsourcing of American jobs overseas."
"tax cuts for the wealthy, record deficits and outsourcing of American jobs overseas."
"tax cuts for the wealthy, record deficits and outsourcing of American jobs overseas."



Democrats still follow the repeat a lie playbook whereas
most of America only hears a skipping record.

[desertlily]

What's the definition of a turncoat?

[ARCADIA]

Hold up! This can't be a direct quote! Frist has got to know this has nothing to do with port security being run by a Arab CO.!

The company's statement also refers to a delay before "taking over the ports." But, hey who are you going to believe? Your own eyes, or Bush and the Bushbots. Six ports became 21, its a meaningless deal that nobody knew about; not even homeland defense who didn't know but were opposed. It is the only thing in the last 5 years that has sent the President scrambling for his Veto pen - although, he only knew what he read in the papers. Where there is smoke there is fire and where there is stench there is rot.

[linda_22003]

He's back and forth on so many issues he makes Kerry look like a bastion of stability.

[no-to-illegals]

I will not ever support the ports deal. I saw a spokesperson for UAE pushing the ports deal and the excuse given as to why I should support it was ...MONEY.
Quote from the UAE spokesperson, "We give large amounts of money to US. This deal is only about economics."

Dang mohammad, I don't want your d@Mn money. I don't care about economics, anymore. 3000 of my fellow Americans died because of the efforts of two of your citizens, and the others who your citizens were with on 911. But I should only be concerned about the economics, mohammad? I wanted to jump through the television and wrap my hands around this moron's neck. I don't want these people in my country for they will kill again. It is only a matter of when. Economics? BS!!! I realize the arguments on both sides and I've decided the only good mohammad is a dead mohammad. "Take a flying leap mohammad, preferably off a thousand foot cliff" I don't want your Fr###ing Money!!! and I'm disappointed in my fellow Americans who do want anything from you, mohammad.

[madconserv]

Yea this whole frickin bit smells. Not to mention that UAE gave $100 mil for katrina relief two weeks before this deal.

[ez]

I never thought anyone could make me long for the Trent Lott days...

[Molly T.]

Sorry, I don't care who or what wants to run, oversee, whatever word you choose, our nations ports....I'M AGAINST IT. And yes, I already knew the Chinese are now running the San Diego port, what used to be our Navy port, I think. No matter, I was dead set against that one also.

Now,to the oft repeated phrase"who will run the ports, there's no AMERICAN co. that can.....well, may I suggest that we'd darn well better be asking why and then fixing whatever the roadblock is that's keeping us,as a nation , unable to run our own ports. This situation is pathetic.

I'll say this, I don't look for any change whatsoever, 'cause there are way too many in the power positions that are way too eager to hand over more and more of our national sovereignty to what ever foreign or international group that comes along.....and you can pretty much figure out, there's been some real deals made along the way...otherwise how does it happen, these things never see the light of day till the deal is a done one. Amazing, Washington can't seem to keep secret what should be kept secret, as in our intelligence agencies etc. but they sure know how to keep quiet anything they think might rile the American public. Do you remember NAFTA,no one saw that coming down the pike till the day before it was voted on.

Don't get me wrong, I've supported this Pres. in his efforts in Iraq, but he's just left me cold with his blind arrogance concerning the borders and the illegals who continue to have free rein crossing the border, getting every kind of hand out Washington can think of to help them out.And this port thing was a no brainer,they sure SHOULD have anticipated just the reaction that's coming from the public.
I have no respect what so ever for the blow hards on both sides of the isle who are using this to whip up sentiment against the Pres. and who only have eyes on how many votes and how many election fund dollars they can entice into their coffers. I just want everyone to PUT AMERICA AND HER WELLBEING FIRST.!!!!

[no-to-illegals]

hear hear....
(wiping away the tears)

[AliVeritas]

For a troll, you sure get around... thanks for the info.
BTW, you stay too long... you'll get converted, be careful.

Commence ZOT when ready.

[AliVeritas]

FYI, Andrew Wilkow's on at 10 on WABC radio, thought you might be interested to hear his take on the ports... people waited all week to hear it.

Thread
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1585833/posts

Station Link (in case you're on the Sunday shows or another thread:
http:/www.wabcradio.com

[jec41]

Just 17% of Americans believe Dubai Ports World should be allowed to purchase operating rights to several U.S. ports. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that 64% disagree and believe the sale should not be allowed

Such a sale was never proposed, nor has one ever occurred. International seaports are comprised of international terminals. The ports lease the terminals to carriers so they will have space for cargo and passengers that would enter or exit the port. A US Customs check is required before any passenger or cargo leaves or enters the port from the terminal. The US government is responsible for international port security. The ports are owned by the states of which they are a part. The state port authority runs the port.

[Hildy]

He does this alot, doesn't he? He speaks from the hip before knowing all the facts. But it is a trait that I admire, that you can admit that you were wrong. However, I don't think it is a good trait for a President who must make fast decisions.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Rush predicted that all the knee-jerk demagogs would quietly recant when it became obvious that this entire episode was nothing but cheap, shameless, baseless demagoguery.

[JackQuickFrost]

For a troll, you sure get around...

...??? It's a straight news story, with a pro-DP "tilt."

Apparently, you've misread.