Posted on 03/10/2006 2:21:04 PM PST by Stellar Dendrite
The U.S. House of Representatives will forge ahead with a vote on blocking an Arab-owned company from managing U.S. ports, to ensure the firm sheds its U.S. holdings as promised, a leadership spokesman said on Friday.
The Republican-run House's refusal to back away from the showdown vote was another blow to President George W. Bush, who suffered a stinging defeat on Thursday when Dubai Ports World said it intended to back out of the deal his administration had approved.
Reverberations from the political earthquake continued on Friday. The United Arab Emirates broke off talks on a free trade pact with the United States, although a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative's office said delays are common.
Bush said he was concerned the opposition sent a worrying message to Middle East allies.
"In order to win the war on terror, we have got to strengthen our relationships and friendships with moderate Arab countries in the Middle East," Bush told newspaper editors.
State-owned Dubai Ports World surrendered to unrelenting criticism from both Republicans and Democrats in giving up the management of some terminals at six major U.S. ports.
The UAE company said it would transfer the ports to a U.S. entity at the behest of Dubai's ruler, to allay concerns the deal posed a threat to American national security. Details of the transfer were not outlined.
The White House had hoped the announcement would resolve the unprecedented crisis between Bush and a Congress run by his own party in open revolt.
But Ron Bonjean, spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert, said the House vote on a provision to bar the deal would go ahead on Wednesday or Thursday anyway.
"It's a smart move to keep it (the legislation) in there, in case the Dubai thing doesn't work out," he told Reuters.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The outlook for a Senate vote was less clear. Senate Republican leaders have been trying to avoid one in the near future. Deal critic Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, wants more information from the White House.
"If things are as they appear, this is a great victory for national security. But make no mistake, we are going to scrutinize this deal with a fine-tooth comb to make sure the separation between American port operators and Dubai Ports World is complete and security is tight as a drum," he said.
Dubai Ports Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, asked if the firm would sell the U.S. port management rights, told Reuters: "All this is being worked out by our parties in the States."
But David Hamod, president of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, said it would be hard to find a U.S. company to step in.
"The advantage that the overseas company has is economies of scale. They're doing this on a global level and so it will be very difficult to find a U.S. company in this business large enough to take over the operations," Hamod said.
He also said his group was hearing calls for retribution, including keeping Americans out of Arab markets. "But it's a tiny minority of people who are arguing that," he said.
Bush, who had vowed to veto efforts to block the deal, praised the UAE as a committed ally in the war on terrorism.
"I'm concerned about a broader message this issue could send to our friends and allies around the world, particularly in the Middle East," Bush said.
Treasury Secretary John Snow said his department's lawyers were in contact with DP World about its intentions. He also said the political furor was an isolated case, as he tried to limit damage to the U.S. free-trade image.
Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia, said congressional Republicans are running away from Bush this election year.
"In a way, the port deal was a godsend to them," Sabato said. "It allowed them to put a lot of daylight between themselves and a very unpopular president."
A new poll Friday registered another low of 37 percent in Bush's approval rating.
(Additional reporting by Thomas Ferraro, Doug Palmer and Tim Ahmann)
And you put faith in the MSM? They are spinning this like they do everything else.
I guess it's just a big joke for little kids to play around with Huh?
It's not a very funny joke.
Fred Barnes, Mort Kondrake, and Charles Krauthammer all stated a few minutes ago that disunity among Republicans will certainly hand a victory to dims in November. The House Pubs act like they want to go against anything the Whitehouse wants. All stated that they don't see any movement towards unity. I know that I feel betrayed by my party.
Instead of wasting even more time on this port BS, why don't they pass a law on border security, cut spending in a real way (not this new "Contract" crap), and put the "HAMMER" back in control. This port crap would have never festered if Tom had been running the show. It appears House Pubs are an incompetent lot.
LLS
Oh I think it's natural. It was the same way as after Miers withdrew. A week of "whining down." A lot of the same folks too. Kinda funny in a sad sort of way.
So what do you suggest sad one..A third party as well?
They are acting like lemmings going over a cliff. There is no rational need to go ahead with this bad legislation. All it does is further rub DP's nose in it. They promised to withdraw that should be the end of it.
No, I suggest instead that folks not lose their heads so easily, that they think things through a little more objectively, reduce the hyperbole.
I'm in, stuck on stupid.
Do you remember when we first took control of Iraq and kicked Saddam out on his rear
How it took the Iraqis a long time to come around and learn that they could trust us .. that we weren't going to run out on them like prior years
Well what the Republicans are doing is something similar to that
By continuing with this beating .. they are going to get us all killed because the moderate arab allies that we have over there may not continue to help us in the WOT
I agree 100 percent.
As of this moment .. I could care less what happens to those members in congress that continue with this BS
There are a handful of Republicans that I like .. those are the ones I will fight for
They rest ... they can all go to hell
You have it exactly right!
I for one will march on Washington in revolt if those POS congresscritters and senators try that. This country has NEVER seen the kind of rebellion those actions would cause. It would also bring our economy to a halt, because those of us that fuel the engine of commerce would be the ones protesting in the streets.
BTW, did you see the poll Jim Angle referenced showing congress with a 31% approval rating? It is an historic low for congress. Bush was at 42% approval with 56% saying he was likable. These numbers will have pubbies puckering up... but it will NOT be Bush's ring that they will be kissing this time!!!
LLS
Fine no problem You be calm....I want to know what is going to happen to our troops?
I'll give you a "Hell Yeah" on that post! Sweet words indeed!
LLS
Picture of the day!
LLS
I just got back from Stations and read your post. It infuriates me whats happening. And the vote will still go on. Where is Rep KIng that said this was over. The damage continues. Look at Sen Mary Landrieu that stupid Dem But I bet the Republican Sen Vitter would have been in the amen corner. Now besides the fact that 100,000 million was given to Katriana efforts by the UAE. THey were going to make improvemnts at the port in New Orleans. Who will prob pay for that the US taxpayers. The one time this region needs investement but I dont expect it will be from the UAE. Incredible
Thanks. The first thing that popped into my head when I read the title was "435 weenies".
Don't get too discouraged. There are a bunch of us fighting at your side! I just didn't think we would have to fight our own... but so be it!
LLS
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