What power does Bush have in the next two elections?

The key to the Presidential election of 2004 was Bush's presentation of himself as the better choice for American security. He lost on every other issue that was important to American voters, but security ensured his (re?)election.

So where is he now? He is telling us that the United Arab Emirates can take control of the largest six ports on the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans and we can "Trust him to have ensured our safety."

Yet two of the 9/11 attackers were from the UAE. The Republicans in Congress are standing up and complaining that this is a deal that must not be accepted. Frankly, for a government whose only source of power is its supposed ability to offer security to America, this is a really bad decision.

Technically, I am not sure it is such a bad decision. The issue of security is almost entirely separate from the issue of port management. Port management appears to be mostly a case of accounting, contracting of stevedores and port contractors who build docks and container management systems as well as money management. Security is handled separately by the local governments.

Politically, however, it indicates a true "tin-ear." They have just gone afoul of their key constituency. They seem to be not interested in American security.

This seems to be a major issue to be used to attack the administration. Whether they are right or wrong, they appear wrong. Time to attack them!