Is Bush just tossing the Republicans a bone on this port deal?

[Atman]

Something in my gut tells me this is just too convenient an issue for the GOP. Bush is a popular target, Rove knows it, everyone knows it now. They won't be able to do much about it before the 2006 "election," so Bush is tossing all the incumbents a way to "stand up to George Bush, the most powerful awesome president in the history of civilization!" Or something to that effect. The GOP is getting all the attention for stopping the port sale, but that is to be understood. It's not a story when a dem protests something Bush does, but when the republicans themselves line up against him, that certainly is news.

But is it real?

I think, as usual, BushCo will get exactly what it wants in the end. Exactly what it wants. Bush will find a way to sell the ports, or assign them over in exchange for some beads and Sammy Sosa, using Executive Order or something. Cheney will speak up from his hidden lair and declare that he has reviewed the deal with Alberto Gonzalez and that we can all just go fuck ourselves.

But it will go through. And all the GOP turds who've been swirling around the drain with Bush will get a second chance, a tried and true campaign commercial, Joe Republican, Standing Up To George Bush to Defend Our Ports! Just like even the dems! Really, see republicans aren't so bad!

I don't know...maybe I've just grown too cynical, but I think there is too much money at stake here for BushCo to let some flunky camera-whore congressman trip 'em up! This is all just a bit too suspicious, if you ask me. Which you didn't, of course. But still...

[formercia]

1. You make a good point.

have you been talking to KKKRove?

Just too convenient when Hastert and Frist jump into the fray,,,loyal as the are...

[daveskilt]

2. and then those brave repubs keep their seats and ....

bush does NOT get impeached. they will vote to override a veto they wont vote to impeach. bush never did a thing in his life that wasnt in his own self interest. This is no diferent.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

3. Hmmmm. n/t

[aquart]

4. Yes, dear. It's just one more clever trick.

Because they're sooooooooooooo much smarter than we are and they never never never make a mistake.

[jackbourassa]

11. These guys aren't that smart

Bush is living in fantasy land at this point. He's surrounded himself by "yes men" and can't understand what the fuss is all about.

This may kill the pukes in the upcoming elections. Not save them.

The whole premise of your argument is wrong.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. no

This is no different than their fluck-ups on many other issues. It is only that both spineless sides of congress are pissed this time.

[elehhhhna]

6. PREDICTION: "We" will end up BEGGING Halliburton to take them overq

and pay for it bigtime.

[warrens]

7. You think Bush is capable of being told he's wrong?

We're talking about a sociopath here. If he keeps it up, every word of support those clowns ever said about him, every bogus bill they ever voted for, every vote they swapped for earmark cash is going to come crashing down on them. Their little punk in disgrace is a lot more dangerous to them than some fake "we stood up to him" stance will help.

Personally, I think this is a fairly minor issue; just take away all day to day authority from Dubai, like being able to hire or fire. But it's just so amazingly stupid to try to DEFEND it. The Smirklings must have a major pipeline full of cash coming from Dubai, and to cancel the deal might cut it off.

[debbierlus]

10. I agree - this is horrible for the Republicans

All around. This is a wake-up call exposing them for what they are -

I don't think this is a strategy. I really don't.

It is corrupt power over-reaching.

I think it is that simple.

[displacedtexan]

8. I just blogged about that very possibility...

Then I added some more plausible reasons why the BushCo/ Carlyle Cabal would
force this Dubai port deal through.

The link is in my sigline.

[debbierlus]

9. I don't think so and here is why:

This isn't a Rovian move. This is ALL about money. Bush is a PUPPET. He has NO choice. This isn't a political move. It is a financial one. Bush is doing what his rulers demand. He is backed into a corner. This has CHENEY not Rove written all over it.

This deal has the power to turn the country completely against Bush & call for his azz on a platter. Impeachment becomes a viable option.

Rove didn't plan this -

Rove is a Bush ALLIE. He puts Bush above Congress. Look at his record.

[pinto]

12. No. I think this was an "in-house" deal, from the get go.

Don't think the White House is playing Congressional politics here, at all.

Sounds like a cabinet level arrangement, from the tender for approval to the committee review to the final agreement. (Note the recent appointment to the Maritime Undersecretary position.)

I honestly think Bushco thought it'd fly under the radar and they'd "take care" of Congressional rumblings on the side.

Bush's veto challenge is something we may see more of in the year(s) to come as the Administration asserts its "exemption" from any and all oversight.

[Twist_U_Up]

13. When you see Peter King on TV

Championing the cause against bushco you know somethings up.