Dubai Ports Deal: Xenophobia, What Xenophobia?

The New York Times notes that Republicans are breaking with the president on the Dubai ports deal and appear intent on scuttling it no matter what the outcome of the 45-day security review:

Xenophobia? What xenophobia? (cartoon: Gary Markstein/Cagle.com)

Representative Jerry Lewis, the California Republican who is chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said he would use a committee hearing on Wednesday to add a provision preventing the deal from moving forward…

“It is my intention to lay the foundation to block the deal. Our public is very concerned about a foreign country, in this case specifically a foreign country from the Middle East, having a major role in our ports,” Mr. Lewis said.

Xenophobia, there’s no xenophobia involved in opposing the ports deal!