Comments on: Bush Unaware of Ports Deal Before Approval

By: Yhoi

Yhoi — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 04:56:23 +0000

"He became aware of it over the last several days," McClellan said. Asked if Bush did not know about it until it was a done deal, McClellan said, "That's correct."

What in the hell does McClellan mean that Bush didn't know about it until the "last several days"? It was reported widely in the press on February 11! That was nearly two weeks ago?!?! Where the hell has Bush been?

By: RA

RA — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 21:46:43 +0000

Apparently the sale of this company was only finalized a month ago. Since this was two foreign countries acting independently its not suprising that no one is up to speed.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:55:33 +0000

Legion: My guess is that it's for the reasons Barnett outlines. Alienating Dubai is not something he wants to do.

Plus, as Drezner (or somebody) points out, Bush tends to defend executive prerogatives pretty fiercely.

By: legion

legion — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:12:01 +0000

James-True, but it raises the question of why Bush came out so defensively gung-ho about a 'routine deal', even to the point of threatening a veto... especially when he didn't know anything about it until after the ink was dry. This doesn't make sense no matter how it's spun...

By: California Conservative

California Conservative — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:08:46 +0000

Port Security: We Weren’t Wrong To Question, But We’re Satisfied By The Answers...

As of yesterday, the port story was proceeding, full steam ahead, as major headline news. Every outlet is scrambling to jump on board, getting their piece of the action. And just like any good reporter knows, scandal (or perception thereof) makes for ...

By: The Glittering Eye » Blog Archive » The Dubai Ports World saga continues

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:08:01 +0000

[...] I also agree completely with James Joyner’s point: Still, is is likely the case that such a company is an easier target for infiltration by our enemies. Increased scrutiny is warranted. Hysteria, however, is not. [...]

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:46:52 +0000

Legion: I wouldn't think the sale of routine contracts would rise to secretarial level. Probably some SES somewhere, would be my guess.

The furor over this is that the company is Arab. If it had gone to a Belgian company, we surely wouldn't have heard about it.

By: legion

legion — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:37:08 +0000

I'm more curious about _when_ the actual 'outsourcing' of the ports occurred. Let's face it people, before 9-11, letting our good freinds the Brits manage some of our major port facilities would not have been that big a deal at all. Post 9-11, however, it's clear that _any_ foreign influence on our physical security can be a big issue.

It never occured to me that the matter would have risen to presidential visibility; it's just not that kind of issue.

Gimme a break - this is a major issue. That much can be seen from the bipartisan furor over having this decision made completely in the dark. And if Bush didn't know about it, and Rumsfeld didn't know about it, who exactly made this decision?!? While Guiterrez is correct that we're not handing over security management, this does have a _major_ impact on port security, and neither the Pres nor the SecDef knew anything about it until after the decision was made? WTF? And on a related topic - Bush threatening a veto over this? That's the funniest thing he's said in weeks!

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:26:15 +0000

It really disgust me to see politicians of both parties stoop this low, using xenophobia, to score political points.

By: LJD

LJD — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:23:44 +0000

How come no one is talking about which administration originally sold this operation to the Brits? Or, if resold before that, which administration 'outsourced' it?

Does any one have that information?

I have an assumption, but I'll hold it until I get confirmation.

By: Unpartisan.com Political News and Blog Aggregator

Unpartisan.com Political News and Blog Aggregator — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:09:00 +0000

White House: Bush didn't know about ports deal until it was OK'd...

President Bush was unaware of the pending sale of shipping operations at six major U.S. seaports to ...

By: Below The Beltway

Below The Beltway — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:05:16 +0000

Bush Was Unaware Of Ports Deal...

Well, this report is just going to make the political landfield that the Bush Administration has found itself in regarding the deal that would result in a company from the United Arab Emirates running America's major seaports.

WASHINGTON -- Pres .....