Port deal will help re-elect Republicans - think about it for a minute

[BR_Parkway]

ShrubCo isn't running for re-election and they know there's a backlash against the culture of corruption RePug majorities have created.

KKKarl just announced that they would make National Security a big platform for the '06 elections, Cheney backed him up a few days later.

Shrub and his Daddy announce this port deal, intantly freaking out both sides of the aisle because we're selling out national security to "arabs"

Frist, Hassert, any RePug who is going to have issues in the campaign season instantly goes on the opposite side and says no, we can't do this. Everyone starts proposing legislation to stop the deal. They get to run as the people concerned about National Security, Shrub doesn't give a shit, he's not running and Daddy makes more millions off the deal.

Those in Congress who need to show they aren't on the side of Shrub (and the backlash) will write bills and vote to stop this 'horrible' thing. Those safe congresscritters will amend, water down and eventually vote against the legislation, keeping it from being a veto proof majority. The bill passes, Shrub vetos, Congress fails to override the veto.

1. Shrub gets the profits into the family coffers
   
2. Frist & others get to prove how they were trying to fight for National Security (and somehow blame the Dems)
   
3. Dems wind up looking like they had no new ideas, didn't stand up for National Security and even get called bigots for standing up to Arabs when British already owned it.
   

[castiron]

1. Watch for this "reform from within" trend from here on out...

Every f'ing time I turn on the radio or tv, there's some Republican agrily talking out against his leadership. These will be seen as the "true" conservatives by most Americans, thus they will vote for them again. And again. And again. EsPECIALLY since they are somehow getting abortion repealed in the courts.

[lonestarnot]

2. There is nothing one can do for koolaid addicts, absolutely nothing.

[BR_Parkway]

5. Campaign slogan for Repubs - We are not a rubber stamp

[marmar]

3. Yes, it's a total setup...

That's why it's important for Dems not to let people forget about their party's ethical lapses and Abramoff. Also, I have a feeling that if they keep backing these extremist measures, such as these measures to ban adoptions by gays and lesbians, it's going to explode in their half-human faces.

[AndyA]

4. This will backfire on the Republicans

If this is indeed what they're trying to do. It will show America a fractured party, fractured by greed and corruption. Americans will not vote for such things. Add the lobbyist scandal, and the Repugs reluctance to clean it up, and you get voters afraid of allowing the status quo to remain in place.

Don't forget, we still have lots of dirty revelations coming with DeLay, Libby, Frist, Ney, etc., etc., etc., so I think Americans will see this for the cart and pony show that it is.

People are getting sick of the games and the photo ops, especially when they can't get student loans, prescription drugs, or keep their homes warm. These are the real issues that will be the death of Republicans.

[Dawgs]

6. Agree, the OP is giving Americans way too much credit.

If Americans actually pay attention to this port handover they will only notice only what Bush has done. Once politics starts to come into play they will tune out. DU'ers and freepers are the only ones that will watch how this whole story will play out.

[H2O Man]

7. I agree that many

republicans will jump on board in order to try to exploit the situation for their best advantage this fall. But it will further damage the Bush administration, and help democrats more than it helps republicans.

[malachibk]

8. "Bush wants Arabs to run our ports."

That's all most Americans will know/hear/care about.

Most gratifying for me is that the racism and bigotry that I despise in Bush's most hardcore supporters are precisely what will topple him and the Repub's chances in 06.

Dems (like Clinton and Menendez) have been fighting this and drawing up legislation to block the sale before Frist et al got involved. When Bush does something stupid, it effects Repubs who HAVE supported him blindly for 5 years.

The American people aren't so much into nuance. Usually it's something I bemoan. Not today.