What is it going to take for us to learn?
By Albert A. Fox, Jr.
Last week, President Barack Obama gave a ride to a few persons in the presidential limousine.
A couple of persons respectfully raised the issue of U.S.-Cuba relations. More specifically, they informed the president how many were disappointed the White House did not name the cities that would be getting direct flights to Cuba. They also expressed their disappointment there was no announcement about loosening the restrictions for American non-tourist travel to Cuba, as was expected last May or June as a result of an agreement by all interested parties. The president was surprised to hear about this disappointment. He told his guests that several members of Congress, led by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, strongly lobbied the White House not to do it before the November mid-term elections, because it would hurt them.
All of us, of course, knew that. But what we did not know is what the president went on to say. He said there was no pressure from Congress or within his administration to make the announcement before the elections. Which brings us, again, to what Lyndon Johnson used to say: “Protect me from my friends, for I know how to handle my enemies.” When are we going to learn it is our “friends” in Congress who keep misleading us with all sorts of excuses as to why we can not enhance U.S.-Cuba relations? The excuses range from everything such as “We need more co-sponsors”; to “We cannot act now because of more priority legislation.” Blah, blah, blah!
It now appears that the White House will make the announcement regarding non-tourist travel to Cuba after the elections. But do not be surprised if the Debbie Wasserman-Schultz cabal comes up with another reason to delay the announcement. At that time, will “our “friends,” such as Rep. Howard Berman, give us more excuses as to why the announcement was not made?
Finally, as painful as it might be for some of us to see the Republicans gain control of the House of Representatives this November, that might not be as bad as it appears. As it pertains to U.S.-Cuba relations, this may actually be a good development. For example, many of the Republicans expected to be elected in November are primarily Libertarians. On the issue of Cuba, they will likely not be as political and narrow-minded as the Debbie Wasserman-Schultz cabal and the Diaz-Balart types. Indeed, Rep. Jeff Flake will more easily be able to put together a coalition of Democratic and Republican members to take on Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — a mediocre member, at best, but who will be the new House Foreign Affairs Chairperson. If for no other reason, then we will know where she stands, unlike “our friends” that for four years, have given us nothing more than the “Washington Two-Step” and a constant runaround.
Knowing all of the above, is it not time to hold “our friends” in the Congress accountable?
Albert A. Fox, Jr. is a retired businessman and lobbyist with a 41-year career in Washington, D.C.. He is the founder of the Alliance for Responsible Cuba Policy Foundation, now headquartered in Tampa, Florida. He is a former U.S. Congressional candidate, who was involved in behind-the-scenes work to resolve the Elián González affair.
