RE: Ports deal. Here are the official GOP talking points

[jim3775]

Hat tip to Dump Terry McAuliffe over at DailyKos.

These talking points were published on the Michigan republican party's official blog.

Top Line

· National security is President Bush's number one priority as we continue to fight the global War on Terror.

· The Department of Homeland Security is always in charge of American port security, not the private company that manages the port.

· Dubai Ports World (DPW) - like the foreign companies that already run the majority of key U.S. ports - does not own the points of entry. DPW is a contractor that coordinates port logistics.

· The ports in question are currently operated by a foreign-based company from Great Britain.

· Dubai Ports World has several Americans among its top executives.

The Process

· There is a basic misunderstanding of the process involved in this transaction.

· The Administration strictly followed Congress's guidelines for the transaction that were set to vet foreign investments that have national security ramifications.

· Because security is a number one priority, the port deal was subjected to extensive security review by 12 high ranking executive branch officials before approval including officials from Department of Treasury, Homeland Security, Defense, State and others.

· The port deal has been reported on extensively in the financial press for several months.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

· The UAE is a close ally in the War on Terror that has allowed U.S. forces to use their seaports, airfields, airspace, and have provided important logistical support.

· The UAE was one of the first nation's to provide assistance to the Gulf Coast after Katrina.

· DPW currently manages ports around the world that deliver cargo to the United States.

· DPW has a long and distinguished record of security precautions and maintains a superb working relationship with the Unites States.

Expect the press to start repeating these.

[Generator]

1. Aw heck

I've already heard them all from the "moderate" or sensible or possibly extreme left DU'ers. Even the Daily show. No matter the great points on what a great business deal it is and how it's always been done, bottom line I do not trust the UAE. Big period. And those that do- I wouldn't trust anymore with my life anymore than I do George W. Bush.

[AX10]

2. The Daily Show?

Care to elaborate on that? Are you saying that they are buying the Bush line on this one? :shrug:

[Generator]

5. They played it as hysteria

"It's been done before." "All our ports are foreign controlled" "They aren't really handling the security." So it's really not a problem. It's just hysteria. That was my take on their presentation last night-haven't seen tonight's.

[AX10]

8. So they bought the Bush line.

sad.

[spindrifter]

3. These are weak points.

How is it that DPW has a "long and distinguished record of security precautions" when DPW's webpage describes the company as a "new and dynamic global port operator? http://www.dpiterminals.com/

Where are the reports from the exhaustive security review?

Why did *, Rummy and Snow all claim they didn't know about the transaction until a few days ago?

What is the Republican talking point on the fact that DPW will also handle operations for the military shipments to the M.E. out of Beaumont and Corpus?

Too little, too late, Rethugs.

[clarknyc]

4. They've lied to us before.

Why should we believe them now? And what was Cheney hiding after he shot a man in the face, anyway?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

6. Okay, how come Bush nominated someone

from that company to the MarAd a month before the deal was announced?

coincidence?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060117-4.html

I doubt it.

[proud patriot]

7. It's too late , they waited too long

it won't work , not this time .

of course this is just my ever so humble opinion

[emulatorloo]

9. kicking and nominating -- cuz all need to see this n/t