They've Got That Backwards

They've got this headline wrong.

The Times (UK): Republicans put Bush in dilemma with mutiny over control of ports

In truth, President Bush has put himself in a dilemma over the ports.

REPUBLICAN leaders in the US House of Representatives last night backed legislation intended to block an Arab company from taking over six US ports, setting up an unprecedented confrontation with the Bush Administration.

The latest step in a revolt that has pitted President Bush against the loyal core of his own party was endorsed by the House Republican leadership, which has rarely opposed the Mr Bush in such an aggressive way. Last night Jerry Lewis, Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, succeeded in adding an amendment to a Bill that provides $91 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and aid for the area ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

The amendment would prevent Dubai Ports World, a state-run company in the United Arab Emirates, from taking control of the ports when it buys P&O, the British company that operates those ports. The blocking move was endorsed by Dennis Hastert, the Republican House Speaker, who normally marches in step with the White House.

Mr Bush, at pains to deflect accusations of xenophobia, has threatened to wield the presidential veto for the first time if legislation emerges to block it; but vetoing a Bill that funds Iraq would be almost impossible for Mr Bush.

The move by House Republicans was a sound rejection of a compromise proposed by the President last week when he announced a 45-day review of the deal. It also reflects a growing desire among Republicans to distance themselves from Mr Bush before November’s mid-term elections. His approval ratings have dropped to less than 40 per cent, the lowest of his presidency.

Republicans are also concerned that the controversy threatens to undermine them on homeland security and terrorism, in which they still hold a significant electoral advantage. The House leadership decided that if they did not come up with legislation blocking the deal, Democrats would.

“We’re not going to let the Democrats get to the right of us on national security,” said Peter King, a Republican congressman from New York and House homeland security chairman. John Boehner, the Republican House Majority Leader, said there was widespread public concern over an Arab company being in control of US ports.

“This has become a very hot political potato,” he said. “It is pretty clear to me that the House is going to speak on this sooner rather than later.”

While I generally admire President Bush for his toughness and for sticking with his chosen positions on issues, he isn't always right. He needs to listen to his party and, especially, HIS BASE more often, rather than going his own way.

Sometimes he doesn't seem to be very politically savvy. Of course, one could also view this with admiration, in that George W. sticks with what he believes, even if it is unpopular in every way and with the people who matter most. He usually doesn't do what is politically expedient.

Unfortunately, in doing so, President Bush has shown that he doesn't care to dance with the one that brought him; in other words, he has, quite often, turned his back on Conservatives. This is an issue, like the Harriet Miers nomination, the Borders, and Campaign-Finance Reform, that the President ought to have considered other opinions on, before making a stand. After all, he didn't gain the presidency TWICE on his own. We backed him up. He needs to back us up.

Fox News has more.

Update: As does Michelle Malkin.