Since yesterday, more information has become available concerning the port deal, yet many questions remain about just how, when and why the deal was approved by the Bush administration. And the pressure continues, as Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives, Liberals, and the right and left sides of the blogosphere take part in the mob effect we’ve come to know so well. The pitchforks and flaming torches are marching down Pennsylvania Avenue. 

Today we learn something more – Bush wasn’t aware of the deal prior to the approval by his administration. One would believe that this information was released by White House PR people in the hopes that it might deflect attention from the president, and thereby divert the mob and quell discontent. But here’s the problem with that – Bush’s statement yesterday defending the deal and threatening to VETO any legislation brought to kill it. Combine the words of the president’s statement with the passion in which it was delivered, throw in a heavy dose of media-made theatrics, and one can’t help but walk away with the impression that Bush was fully engaged in the decision. It’s almost as if he was at the negotiation table, pushing the pen in front of representatives of Dubai Ports World.

It’s strange.

If I could ask Bush one question, it would be this: If the decision to contract with Dubai Ports World was made without your knowledge by members of your administration more than a month ago, how can you, as well as the American people, be sure that the deal was completely and thoroughly vetted from a national security perspective?

OK, one more general question: Why is Bush so adamant that this deal go through? Why threaten a VETO? He’s not used that pen at all during his presidency, even though there have been many opportunities for him to do so. Yet now, we’re supposed to believe that this deal is soooo important that Bush is willing to use his VETO powers for the first time to kill anything that attempts to block it. Why is the port deal such a critical issue for the president?

It’s strange.

Is this matter really just another example of poor communication within the Bush administration, or is there something more?