Can Dems Hold the Ports Issue?

As far as I'm concerned, the main benefit of the Dubai Ports World controversy is the focus it can put on port security. It doesn't really matter what company manages the ports or where they're from if security is lax to begin with. And although they haven't been able to gain any traction until now, Dems have consistently been on the right side of the issue. An AP story this morning made the case.

Democrats in Congress almost daily blame their GOP counterparts for security holes in the U.S. maritime industry.

They trot out votes that show the Republican-controlled House and Senate turned back more than a dozen Democratic efforts to secure millions of dollars more for port security since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"When it comes to protecting the ports, Republicans really do have a pre-9/11 mind-set," said Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind.

Among the votes:

* In 2003, House Republicans, on a procedural vote, agreed to kill a Democratic amendment that would have added $250 million for port security grants to a war spending package.

* Two years later, nearly all House Republicans voted against an alternative Homeland Security authorization bill offered by Democrats that called for an additional $400 million for port security.

* Senate Republicans stood together in 2003 to set aside a Democratic amendment that would have provided $120 million more for port cargo screening equipment.

* One year later, all but six Senate Republicans voted to reject a Democratic attempt to add $150 million for port security in a Homeland Security appropriations bill.

. . .
House Republicans were put on record again last week on port security when Democrats tried to force a debate and vote on legislation that would require congressional approval of DP World's takeover. The effort failed. Only two Republicans voted with Democrats.

Actually, the question isn't so much whether Dems can hold the issue, because they've been consistent on it. It really comes down to whether they can somehow keep it from getting spun away from them.