Handling of port security issue baffles both parties
Both Republican and Democratic insiders are amazed at the ineptitude of the once vaunted White House PR machine in handling the seaport security furor.
"They are completely off their game," a prominent GOP strategist tells U.S. News. Many Washington insiders say that even if President Bush is correct in arguing that there will be no security problem in authorizing a company controlled by the United Arab Emirates to run six seaports in the United States, he failed to prepare members of Congress for the controversial decision.
His threat to veto any legislation designed to stop the deal only made matters worse. Now he has a near rebellion on his hands, led by Republicans who feel shut out and blindsided. Many congressional insiders say Bush is picking a fight he can't win—or, at minimum, he is going down a path that will stir up more resentment with fellow Republicans.
Many legislators are already upset with the administration's demand for trust from Congress without giving members what they consider adequate information to review. The Republican leaders of both the House and the Senate have called for a halt to the deal until Congress can assess it. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said the administration seemed "tone deaf" on this issue.
There is widespread suspicion in Washington that it was Karen Hughes, a Bush confidante who is in charge of public diplomacy at the State Department, who advised the president to take a hard line. What particularly angers GOP loyalists in Washington is that the seaport controversy could strengthen the hand of Democrats, who have been arguing for many months that the administration isn't doing enough to protect the ports.
Even normally loyal GOP governors are getting into the act. Among those raising questions about the deal are Govs. Robert Ehrlich of Maryland and George Pataki of New York. For his part, White House counselor Dan Bartlett told CNN that the deal was "rigorously studied" and passed muster within the administration. Bartlett added that the UAE is a "strategic partner" in the Middle East and deserves the contract. Administration officials also say port security will continue to be provided by the Customs Department and the Coast Guard, not the UAE or the company.