Arab ally senses Bush no longer has control in Washington

Financial Times ^ | March 9, 2006 | Edward Alden and Holly Yeager

[jmc1969]

And, Reagan would have prevented the deal?

What admin. was it that was making backroom deals with Iran and left Lebanon the second we were hit?

[AmeriBrit]

President G W Bush has been fighting an uphill battle since January 2001 against these, the biggest enemy of the U.S. citizens and nation.

http://media1.streamtoyou.com/rnc/0519RNCNo-1.wmv

[MiHeat]

There are those of us who will not tolerate a democratic majority.

[Fruitbat]

I find it hard to believe that there are people who think GWB is better than Reagan.

To be honest, I haven't heard that a lot. Besides, there's no comparison.

Think about it, if 9/11 hadn't happened, what would be W's legacy right now? What, a couple of justices, which I agree is huge, and a tax cut?

Any two of Reagan's years puts that to shame!

[mlc9852]

Maybe he reacted to the will of the people. I think that is a good thing myself.

[bayourant]

Well a party leader has to assert some "control". Else its all a big mess. Unfort I think with Delay gone who used to control alot of stuff its just going to get messier

[Huck]

Damn, you're observant. But my overuse is selective. Maybe you can apply your obviously keen analytical skills and detect a pattern.

[speekinout]

Is an undisciplined Republican Congress the lesser of two evils?

There is no such thing as a "disciplined" Congress; never has been. The best situation is to have a Congress of people with ethics, knowledge - or a willingness to learn - consistent stances, and enough courage to vote them.

But the truth is that we have a gerrymandered House, and a Senate where many states are conceded to one party or the other. As long as we all vote in predetermined blocs, we won't get good people - we will get the ones selected by the state party machines. There loyalty is to the state machine - not even to the Nat'l party, and certainly not to the people.

[Carolinamom]

/s

[jeremiah]

This should be a lesson to those watching our system work, Bush should not be in control. This is a govt that is supposed to be, "of the people", and deals have to be cleared, and graft does not assure that a deal will go through. I am amazed, that their has not been an investigation into the deals made by the Treasury secretary, or the Maritime manager, and their connection to this deal. I think it is obvious, that the process is compromised by insider trading of sorts, and that those in the position to protect this country, stand to profit.

[HitmanLV]

The president has never looked as bad as he has in the last couple of weeks. The single biggest blunder of this episode was when he initially threatened a veto to stop any congressional plan

Barely a day later we find out he didn't really know much about the deal when he made those statements.

Later that day, Bu$h $hills began insisting that it was in fact a good thing that he didn't know what he was talking about.

The next morning, the Bush posse tried to play their own version of the race card, tagging opponents of the plan as bigots. Of course, Republicans have no idea how to play that card and it flopped miserable. "Put that down, you might hurt yourself."

Bush lost a remarkable amount of his personal credibility and leadership during his misstep cha-cha. He never came close to taking control of the issue and articulating a persuasive case for his position.

I get a good laugh at the irony of his 2000 campaign pledge as a uniter, not a divider. He united us, alright - 70% of the American people united against him. Good job, pal.

Bush seems oblivious to the fact that he didn't look persuasive at all. The fact is, no matter how we got there, the American people didn't want this deal and Bush was ineffective in convincing them otherwise. Blaming the 70% that weren't convinced is foolish.

Bush has lost control of the narrative - he looks increasingly like an ineffective spectator who the American people - in broad numbers - have no confidence in.

[ConsentofGoverned]

"Your hate and political bigotry is transperent in every one of your postings. Spare us the psuedo intellectual posturing"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..............
well said , where you perhaps looking in the mirror when you wrote it??

[roses of sharon]

LOL, the right-wing loves martyrdom, its easier than leading.

By 08, they will be crying about a far left-wing gov, with leftists judges, no shutting down of the borders, higher taxes, UN superiority, international court, global warming treaty, the ports will remain the same, and on and on.

If you live long enough you see a pattern, the right is simply more comfortable sniping their own.

They haven't the guts to snip at the real enemy, the MSM/DNC, for fear of bad PR.

[babygene]

"Bush is OK on WOT"

Actually Bush has been a Wuss on the WOT thing. He hasn't secured the boarders, and he incessantly lies about the religion of peace.

[jec41]

Arab ally is correct. GWB is a lame duck. We also have a republican congress lacking cojones that's thinking more about keeping their seats this coming November and are following the minority democrats' lead.

Congress might get a surprise. I would not vote for any Representative that are ignorant of how US ports work nor would I vote for one that told the lie the UAE is buying our ports and also I would not vote for one that said security was the issue but would not permit another security check. All of my Representatives committed the acts above. I will just vote for the President and the primary to unseat my republican representatives. I will not vote democrat.

[K-oneTexas]

This is reminiscent of Congress's actions with the Viet Nam War. Our withdrawal and the subsequent 'peace treaty' (that we were the only ones to honor) cause America to "lose face" in the world with other governments. It diminished the power of the Presidency (with Carter's help)and Congress began a sort of micromanagement of everything. It made it harder to fight the Cold War and that loss of esteem with our allies took some time to recover from.

This action by Congress will most likely effect the same results. History repeats itself. The Dems are not in power ... but they really are, since the Repubs let them. Also the President is not being well served and should be a little more hands on and speaking up on more issues more often.

[MNJohnnie]

Yes, I see you are correct. It is simply easier for them to whine about everything then to try and build anything. They lack both the intellect and the emotional maturity to lead. That an a large dose of moral cowardice in their physiology. Always easier to strive for popular then to fight for what is right. They were born to be sheep.

[ConsentofGoverned]

post 9/11 I was very proud of Him and still respect him for his first two years..but his constant praise of Illegals the inaction on secure borders, big spending, growing government, he, well does not look like a conservative or even a moderate GOPer.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>........
the GOP will have trouble if the immigration and border issues are not dealt with, Those here who blame us for pointing out his faults should realize it is not US who will bring the Dems to power, but MR BUSH and the do nothing GOP in congress who will seal the deal.

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

It is the MSM that did in the President! With all the lies and emotion-stirring articles along with the finger-pointings!

They managed to convince Americans and the Congress before all the World!

The Congress has just sent a message to all those foreign companies!

[Mancolicani]

The American people are not hysterical. They are famous for their "horse sense." They don't trust Muslims. The days when Bush can go to a Mosque after a terrorist attack and call Islam a "religion of peace" are gone.

Does Dubai deserve such treatment? Oh, maybe... when the vast majority of the population loathes everything America stands for. When Israel's right to existence is denied. When the Government of Dubai sponsors terrorists.

Why run the risk?

America more than most places in the world loves and lives for business... yet, the people just didn't like this deal. The repercussions are unfortunate, but it is Bush who was out of touch with the people and not the people out of touch with Bush.