Republican Breakdown
By David S. Broder
Friday, March 10, 2006; Page A19
At the beginning of this year, or even a month ago, no one would have guessed that a routine business transaction between two foreign-based firms would prove to be the lever for breaking up the governing Republican coalition in Washington.
But that is exactly what happened in the eruption of political protest over the proposed takeover of cargo operations at six U.S. ports by Dubai Ports World from the London-based Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co.
Congressional Republicans, spurred by what members describe as a wave of grass-roots protest, were poised to block the sale despite President Bush's insistence that it be allowed to go forward. Yesterday the Dubai company said it would pull out of the American ports deal.
Before that, the conflict brought to the surface deep-seated resentments from the Capitol end of Pennsylvania Avenue toward the people around the president -- and, surprisingly, toward Bush himself. The harmony that had prevailed during most of Bush's tenure -- the deference that a Republican-controlled Congress has generally shown to his wishes -- disappeared. Even the normal circumspection with which congressional Republicans treat the White House withered in the unexpected heat of this dispute.
Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, a committee chairman, told The Post, "This is probably the worst administration ever in getting Congress's opinion on anything."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/09/AR2006030902290.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
