Port whine

February 24, 2006

The controversy over the Dubai Ports World deal didn’t begin in earnest until this week, so the pollsters have been a little slow in churning out data, but Rasmussen appears to be the first outfit to suggest just how unpopular the deal is.

Just 17% of Americans believe Dubai Ports World should be allowed to purchase operating rights to several U.S. ports. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that 64% disagree and believe the sale should not be allowed.

Just 39% of Americans know that the operating rights are currently owned by a foreign firm. Fifteen percent (15%) believe the operating rights are U.S. owned while 46% are not sure.

Given the coverage, I’m a little surprised the opposition to the deal isn’t worse. But that’s not the number that will have the administration worried — this is.

From a political perspective, President Bush’s national security credentials have clearly been tarnished due to the outcry over this issue. For the first time ever, Americans have a slight preference for Democrats in Congress over the President on national security issues. Forty-three percent (43%) say they trust the Democrats more on this issue today while 41% prefer the President.

Rasmussen isn’t always the most reliable — it uses automated-response calls — but if these numbers are even close to accurate, it’s going to cause panic in Republican circles.

Update: In fact, the panic is already apparent.

Can’t really reach for a terror alert right now, can they…since “People don’t need to worry about security.”

  • Keep pulling GOP. Keep pulling Bush. Harder. Your almost to the top of that petard. Almost. Keeeep pulling.

  • This is starting to feel like the backlash I’ve been expecting for some time now against those who have made their careers on dishonesty, intimidation and incompetence. In one sense it could be Nature’s way of righting the scales after they’ve been so badly out of balance for so long.

    It sure took a while, but now that it’s started maybe we’ll finally start the flushing out process that has been so long overdue. The security angle to this port thing is starting to look a little shaky in my opinion, but whatever gets the great American public to finally wake up is ok with me as long as it gets the job done.

  • Wow. I never thought this story would have so much traction to it. Why is that? How can he survive (and continue to practice) indefinite detentions, torture, and warrentless domestic spying, and yet this is what takes him out? Is it the straw that finally broke the camel’s back?

  • This is simply an emotional, fearmongered
    overreaction among ill informed Americans who have
    been propagandized to death over the past five
    years by this administration. Bush will settle them
    down in due time, and everything will swing back
    to normal in the father protector category.

    A shame the people wake up suddenly for the
    wrong reason on the wrong issue. But what could
    you expect after five years of real scandal after
    real scandal where nobody gives a damn but
    a few silly liberals on the blog scene?

  • I want to know HOW BIG A DEPOSIT

    the U.A.E. terrorist supporters / lovers

    stuck in BUSH Jr.’s BANK ACCOUNT

    to BUY this contract!

    U.S.A – Everything’s for sale!

  • I actually don’t think this is the wrong issue.

    The 9/11 highjackers were not in charge of security at Logan Airport. But they were able to walk right through it carrying lethal weapons.

    How?

    They had the opportunity to study how to defeat that security.

    If an Arab controlled company from the middle of Wahabist Arabia can get Port Operations responsibility for six of America’s biggest ports, someone in that company is going to be studying how to defeat U.S. port security.

    Which is not much of a challenge as it is.

    So, no, it is not a shame, this is not the wrong reason nor is it the wrong issue.

    Not that I don’t think defending our civil liberties isn’t important too.

  • This whole things is pie in the sky. It’s tme for Dems to talk about security, and to talk about it in a big way. It’s in season.

  • I love this line by John Podhertz: “Congressional Republicans have no choice but to be extremely aggressive and nasty toward the president and the White House”

    Music to my ears.

  • So it’s OK with wing nuts that Arab sheikdoms finance the tax breaks that our children will be forced to pay back, but it’s not OK that these same sheikdoms, that supported the 9/11 terrorists, ask for a kickback contracts?

    • Comments are closed.