http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/414453.html

Doles face off on ports

Rob Christensen, Staff Writer

Bob and Elizabeth. They may not make the tabloids like Jen and Brad, or J Lo and Ben. But in the world of Washington power couples, only Bill and Hillary give off more wattage.

The Clintons' domestic problems are all too well known. But now I'm worried about the Doles.

Bob, the former Senate majority leader and GOP nominee for president, has been retained by Dubai Ports World Inc. to help the company steer through the bureaucracy in its application to operate ports in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Miami and New Orleans.

The problem, of course, is that Dubai Ports is owned by the United Arab Emirates. The deal has set off a firestorm nationwide about whether it would be a security risk for an Arab-owned company to oversee so many containers entering the United States.

Elizabeth, North Carolina's senior senator, is undecided on the deal and says she wants a closer look at it. She sits on two Senate committees -- banking and armed services -- that will examine whether the Bush administration should go forward with the deal.

(The Clintons, coincidentally, are sort of in the same boat. Hillary opposes the port deal, while Bill has provided unpaid informal advice to Dubai Ports.)

Democrats, in any case, have yelled conflict of interest.

Bob says he will confine his lobbying to the Bush administration.

"I have not nor will I 'lobby' members of Congress on this issue, not even at home," Bob said in a statement. "I have not discussed the port issue with any senator or member of Congress or anyone working for the Congress, nor will I do so."

It makes you wonder about the dinner conversation at the Doles' condo at the Watergate. I can imagine it going like this:

Elizabeth: How was your day?

Bob: Well, you know, talked with folks over at the White House about what stand-up guys they are over at Dubai Ports World.

Elizabeth: Bob. You promised.

Bob: OK, OK.

Elizabeth: So where did you have lunch?

Bob: Oh, I ate at the Lebanese Taverna on Connecticut Avenue. Some grape leaves, a little couscous, some Ouzi. Nothing like good Arab food. Such reliable people.

Elizabeth: Whom did you eat with?

Bob: Karl Rove. He was telling me about how the United Arab Emirates provide us with all this good intelligence and ...

Elizabeth: Bob, will you leave it alone? How about watching a movie?

Bob: You know I've got "Lawrence of Arabia" cued up. Why are you rolling your eyes, Elizabeth? Would you rather see "Arabesque"? Maybe Rudolph Valentino in "The Sheik"?

Elizabeth: Never mind. Maybe we could just read.

Bob. OK. Would you like a glass of port?

Elizabeth: Bob. You are impossible. Can't we talk about something else?

Bob: You know Pfizer just sent me a box of Viagra samples -- the last of my payments for doing those TV ads a few years ago.

Elizabeth: Take it easy, big boy. I think I'd rather talk about ports.
Rob Christensen can be reached at 829-4532 or robc@newsobserver.com.