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—-Original Message—–
From: DNC Press [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 7:10 PM
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Subject: McCain in Beverly HIlls–Will He Defend Port Deal Again?
Press Release
For Immediate Release
March 20, 2006
Contact: Damien LaVera – 202-863-8148
Will McCain Defend Port Deal Again?
Washington, DC – Republican Senator John McCain is in Beverly Hills tonight raising money for Governor Schwarzenegger. While in Southern California, McCain should explain why he supported President Bush’s attempts to outsource the operation of six American ports to a foreign government-owned company-even after the company agreed to sell off its American holdings.
McCain’s unwavering support of the President’s port plan comes despite the Bush Administration’s complete lack of credibility on port security. More than four years after the September 11 attacks, just six percent of the cargo containers entering America are screen for weapons of mass destruction, leaving American communities vulnerable to future attacks.
“While in Southern California tonight, Senator McCain needs to explain why he would give a President with so little credibility on port security so much leeway on a deal that could undermine security at American ports,” said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. “Senator McCain apparently does not understand that homeland security begins with hometown security.
“Americans want change, not more of the same failed leadership from Republicans like John McCain whose bad choices and misplaced priorities have undermined the safety and security of the American people. McCain should join Democrats in fighting to provide the homeland security resources needed to protect our ports, strengthen our borders, and prevent terrorist attacks.”
President Bush Still Fails To Secure Our Ports. U.S. Customs and Border Protection only screen about 5 percent of containerized cargo entering the country for weapons of mass destruction. Furthermore, technology devices capable of detecting radiological material is not available at all U.S. ports; in fact, “only one of the six ports (in the Dubai deal)… is equipped with a working radiation-detection system that every cargo container must pass through.” [Miami Herald, 2/16/06; New York Times, 1/23/06]
Bush White House Has Rebuffed Democratic Efforts To Enhance Port Security. Since 9/11, the Bush Administration has consistently opposed Democratic efforts to increase funding for port security by nearly $2.4 billion. [Senate Appropriations Committee]
McCain Said Scrutiny Of The Dubai Port Deal Was Not A Priority, Called Concerns “Near Hysteria.” McCain, speaking to ABC News on February 26, 2006, said that national security concerns surrounding the proposed port sale to Dubai should not be a priority, and he commented that his colleagues had reached a unwarranted level of “near hysteria” about the sale. McCain said, “I think that our priorities this week have been misplaced. We’ve got some very, very big issues that I think are perhaps more important than whether a country that’s freer than China is should have control of some of our terminals.” McCain added, “I think that the near hysteria about this is not warranted particularly in light of the other major crises that we are facing throughout the world.” [ABC News, 2/26/05]
McCain Says “Trust Bush” On Port Security And The War On Terror. “We all need to take a moment and not rush to judgment on this matter without knowing all the facts. The President’s leadership has earned our trust in the war on terror, and surely his administration deserves the presumption that they would not sell our security short…let’s make a judgment when we possess all the pertinent facts. Until then, all we can offer is heat and little light to the discussion.” [McCain Senate Release, 2/21/06]
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