Back to the National Security Drawing Board

The recent torpedoing of the Dubai Ports World deal to manage six American ports sent a clear message as to next congressional election's hot topic. The economy is once again going to take second seat to National Security. And according to voices from both sides of the political map, that's how the American public wants it.

Throughout its term, the Bush administration has been constantly accused of Islamophobia and Arab bashing even though, as I noted in my post "the Benefits of a Texas Cowboy", it has probably done more for Arab-Muslim progress than most other presidents. Different political figures, mostly democrats, found it convenient to portray the administration's actions as such, contributing immensely to the decline of the administration's and America's popularity in the world (if you note a degree of criticism in this last sentence – don't. it is the cynical role of the opposition to bring down the GOP no matter what the costs are). Yet it is surprising to hear the same voices objecting selling control of six US ports to an Arab company stating - you guessed it - security concerns. What gives?

The simple answer is that National Security is back in the hot seat. Let's face the facts - despite all the criticism of the Bush administration by many Americans about demonizing Islam etc., it is a far cry from trusting your Arab neighbor. And both parties know it. As one democrat leader noted when speaking of the deal "finally the American public got its say" and that say is national security. Therefore it should not come as a surprise that the next elections are going to focus on national security. Democrats are going to ask who tried to sell US ports and republicans are going to ask who prevented another 9/11. For many Americans that hoped that the economy is going to play a key role in the next elections I only have one thing left to say – tough luck, better luck next time.