Last Bit o' Port

The Washington Post today has an interesting look behind the scenes at how the UAE port deal blew up in Bush's face. I find this worrisome:

Some Republicans, however, think the episode highlights a structural problem: Without Bush's own reelection to worry about, White House aides are less alert to the political implications of fast-moving issues or unexpected events. Compounding problems, White House staffers have seemed exhausted in general for much of the year, according to people in close contact with them. [Emphasis Added]

So this generally incompetent bunch are now exhausted too. That's just great.

And finally I'm going to give the last word on the Port mess to Dave Johnson of Seeing the Forest. This just about sums it up:

We invaded Iraq based on less evidence of al Queda and other terrorist ties than there is of UAE ties. Yet, the Bush crowd insists that we have nothing to worry about from handing control of our ports over to the UAE

Hat tip to Fixer at Alternate Brain for helping me see the forest.