Dubai offers to delay takeover of six U.S. ports

The administration and Dubai Ports World are obviously feeling the bipartisan backlash over what's being dubbed "PortGate". The AP reports:

A United Arab Emirates company offered Thursday to delay its takeover of most operations at six U.S. ports to give the Bush administration more time to convince skeptical lawmakers the deal poses no security risks.

[...]

Under the offer coordinated with the White House, Dubai Ports World said it will agree not to exercise control or influence the management over U.S. ports pending further talks with the Bush administration, Congress and local port authorities. It did not indicate how long it will wait for these discussions to take place.

I'm reminded of the old saying, "If you can't take the heat, get out of the oven." By delaying the deal, the administration and Dubai are attempting to put a damper on the furor that has been exploding over this issue in recent days. Bush & Co. continue to change their position - first the White House said Bush would veto any attempt to temporarily or permanently stop the deal, but now a delay is OK with them.

Congress must insist on holding congressional hearings to investigate this deal and provide the public with more information.