There definitely is a non-racist argument against the UAE ports deal. However, that argument would take us to places that no Democrat or Republican would want to go - questioning the basic premises of the Washington Consensus - neo-liberal globalization of the "flat-earth" variety. It so is much easier for lawmakers, especially Democrats, to make cheap political points with Arab-bashing. The Washington Consensus is now a religion in DC and no Democrat wants any part of questioning its assumptions. They just don't want to go there. After all, it may lead to blocking deals like this: From Haaretz
U.S. panel objects to software handover to Israeli company
William Reinsch, a former senior U.S. official who participated in reviews under former President Bill Clinton, said the Israeli sale involves more dire security issues than the administration's recent approval for a Dubai-owned company to take over significant operations at six major American ports.
How will Hillary and Chuck react to that one?