"Assuming that the checks are done, and the law is followed. These folks manage ports all over the world."

Well, yeah except there are managing terminals in a port NOT ports

"On the other hand, it is a great issue - very much like emigration - that the conservative base will have a strong emotional response to. Democrats need only step back and watch the fireworks."

Oh, I agree that some of republican leadership have reacted emotionally and shown their ignorance in this matter, but seems that Dems are making most of the noise. With Ms Clinton doing the most amount damage to herself.

"Of course, there are very few pols in DC (of any party) that can resist thumping their chest and declaring that they are tough on terrorism and they would never approve such a thing."

Yeah, but also the press has mis reported this issue and are added more to the confusion.

"On the other hand, the whole thing is silly because Democrats have been begging for funds to increase port security ever since 9/11. Republican attitudes have been that they've sent some additional funds to ports and they are oh so tough on terrorism (and dems are only asking for more funds to appear tough on terrorism)."

Look if you want to add more money to Coast guard and the navy, I think this would be good idea. But the main way this is going to be handled is knowing what in the ship before it's within 100 miles of US- not when it's at the port

"I bet Republican attitudes about port security funding will not change even after this bit of comedy. If we trace something nasty back to an uninspected container, I bet we will get some of those patented: "No one could have predicted..." statements."

And we will get the silly "the president knew about it, but did nothing to stop it" nonsense.
The facts are that the only way to resolve this problem is exactly what the President has done and is doing.