Veto? For This?

Seems that George Bush got his tighty-whiteys in a bunch over PortGate, using the word-that-shall-not-be-spoken by the BushCo administration (via the WaPo):

In a 20-minute impromptu meeting he called with reporters aboard Air Force One, Bush said he would veto any legislation to hold up the port deal. He warned that if the United States derailed the deal, it would send "mixed signals" because no criticism was raised when a British company was in charge. Lawmakers, he said, must "step up and explain why a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard."

Bill Frist and Dennis Hastert, sticking their fingers out to test the winds, see no downside to opposing the President:

"The decision to finalize this deal should be put on hold until the administration conducts a more extensive review of this matter," Frist said in a statement. "If the administration cannot delay the process, I plan on introducing legislation to ensure that the deal is placed on hold."

Also today, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) raised concern about the deal and urged the administration to "conduct a more thorough review." Without offering details, Hastert said in a letter to Bush that "this proposal may require additional congressional action in order to ensure that we are protecting Americans at home," the Associated Press reported.