Senator McCain Gets the Port Deal Wrong

Senator McCain Gets the Port Deal Wrong

“The Democrats' point man
on national security.”
– Chris Wallace, Fox News Sunday, introducing Senator
Joe Biden

Senator Joe Biden was introduced this morning on Fox as the “Democrats' point man on national security.” Who says polls don't move the MSM?

It's time to sit up and take notice of Senator Joe Biden. If Fox
News is introducing him as the “Democrats' point man on national security,”
that is significant, even if you have another candidate lodged in your political
heart of hearts for 2008. I know, I know, it's too early you say, to which
I reply, think again.

Senator Biden was formidable in his interview with Wallace today.
He's becoming known to the Fox News crowd. I have many disagreements with the
Senator, so this isn't an endorsement by any stretch. However, I am saying it's
time to take the man seriously. We can't win on California alone.

Over on ABC, it was clear that even Senator John McCain doesn't
know what he is talking about when it comes to our ports. The Senator is always
trumpeting his tepid academic records at the Naval Academy, so maybe it's time
to consider this as a point of argument against following his lead.

Senator McCain laid out DP World's involvement in port security,
but unfortunately, he was off by a mile.

Joe Biden, the 2008 sleeper candidate?

“… They are in charge of terminals.
The people who are in charge of security are the customs and social security.
Excuse me, I apologize, the Coast Guard, not Social Security. I'm ready for
Social Security. Is the Coast Guard and Customs. They are the people in charge
of security.”
- Senator John McCain on “This Week,” with
George Stephanopolous

Bless John McCain's heart, he's a great American, but he just
doesn't do details very well.

Again, in case you haven't been paying attention. Someone please email this to the war hero of Arizona. This is how port security works:

• While the ship is in the water it's under the jurisdiction of the Coast
  Guard.
• While docked at the port and goods are being unloaded, it's under the jurisdiction
  of Customs and Border Protection.
• But the second those goods go off of the ship and land on the docks, security
  is the sole responsibility of the terminal operator, which Republicans want
  to be DPW.
• The security plans are reviewed by the Department of Homeland Security,
  but the terminal operator is solely responsible for the execution of those
  plans, which in this new deal of Bush's would be DP World.
• Port plans are classified “secret,” but if a foreign government
  gains control of a terminal they become privy to “classified security
  arrangements.”
• DP World would have the blueprint of the security at the port.
• The Port Authority's authority ends at the roads leading to and connecting
  the terminals.
• Lighting, fencing, close circuit TVs are shared by the port and the terminal
  operator.
• But when it comes to the security guards, they are “hired, fired and
  paid” by the terminal operator, which would be DP World. In other words,
  they absolutely will be in charge of direct security of the port terminal
  and the cargo sitting on the dock.

Biden made our argument against the Dubai port deal today, though he's more
than willing to consider the deal after the 45-day review. I know this pisses
off the left, that Biden is willing to negotiate, but it's the way grown ups
participate in the political process. It's not perfect, but it's reality on Capitol Hill.

First, the managing company has to identify the vulnerabilities
in their system.

They, meaning DP World, develop a security plan for the port.

They, meaning the government-owned company of DP World, would
have access to the Coast Guard response plan, which is classified.

They, a company tied to the events of 9/1, would control the cargo
manifests, which determine what the Coast Guard in fact goes to inspect.

Biden asked this very basic question: “Is all that information
sitting on a computer back in Dubai?” Who has access to the computer in
Dubai. How do we know we can trust whomever has this access?

“The idea of comparing England and
the United Arab Emirates as the same, in terms of status as allies, I think
is, misses the point on how we've handled things for the last forty years.”
– Senator Joe Biden

Senator McCain simply doesn't know what he's talking about. But
he's not afraid to share his opinion, ignorance be damned.

Bottom line is that if incompetence is a virus, the Republican
Party is in the throes of an epidemic.

It's time for Democrats to do a national security rescue.