This morning the WSJ did everything but give CNN's Lou Dobbs a medal--and pretty much full credit--for squashing the Dubai ports deal:
On Monday, Feb. 13, as Americans were fixated on media accounts of Vice President Dick Cheney's weekend hunting accident, CNN commentator Lou Dobbs weighed in on a different story. In a "special report" on his evening program, he asserted that "a country with ties to the Sept. 11 terrorists could soon be running significant operations at some of our most important and largest seaports with a full blessing of the Bush White House."
The CNN commentator, who has redefined his career by editorializing against outsourcing, illegal immigration and big business, aired his initial report in which he expressed incredulity that the deal was being allowed to go forward. That report was followed by 15 others in the following 17 of his shows....
Finally, DP World agreed to undergo a new, 45-day U.S. government security review of the acquisition so all the questions could be considered again. The White House hoped that would buy time to cool the political passions. But as legislators from both parties continued to push measures to stop the deal, the White House strategy fell apart. Yesterday, DP World said it would shed the U.S. terminal operations.
Messrs. Dobbs and [radio talk show host Michael] Savage still aren't satisfied. "I think it's far to early to say whether this is a bona fide and sincere withdrawal," Mr. Dobbs said in an interview. Said Mr. Savage: "I'm doubtful." Both said they plan to keep pushing the issue.
