Redstate
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Is It time to Abandon Dubai Deal?
February 28, 2006
http://proud-kaffir.redstate.com/story/2006/2/27/224417/745On the merits, I agree with the administration that the Dubai port deal is probably good for the country and has been demagogued by the opponents. However, as the Rasmussen poll shows, politically this deal is a big time loser for Bush and by extension, the Republicans. In the long run, giving the hypocritical Democrats an issue to regain control of Congress will damage the nation's security more. In net effect, this deal will weaken our security as the Democrats use their oversight powers to attempt to weaken the Administration with trumped up scandal investigations or outright impeachment.
I believe that the polls are not going to change drastically in 45 days. Selling American assets- be they real estate, businesses, or port management- has never been popular with the populace, even absent security concerns. I'm concerned that even with the Congressional Republicans distancing themselves from the deal, the Democrats are not going to let this issue fade. If the deal is approved, even over Congressional attempts to block it, the Democrats could engineer a strike by the unions in protest, dragging this out towards the election.
This issue is just a political loser. Perhaps its time to just drop it.