Barack Obama backtracks over Ground Zero mosque support

London Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | August 15, 2010 | Toby Harnden

[Schnucki]

President Barack Obama has backtracked over his enthusiastic support for the building of a mosque near Ground Zero in New York, saying he was "not commenting on the wisdom of making the decision".

The decision to build an 15-storey Islamic centre in Manhattan, including a mosque, two blocks from the Ground Zero site of the September 11th terrorist attacks has incensed many Americans, with polls indicating that more than two-thirds oppose it.

Speaking at an iftar dinner held at the White House on Friday to mark the breaking of the Ramadan fast, Mr Obama abandoned his administration's previous stance that there would be no comment on the "local" issue.

"As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country," he said. "And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community centre on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances."

These comments heartened many on the Left, though they drew a sharp rebuke from centrist Democrats fighting uphill battles to retain seats in the November mid-term elections.

"I would prefer the president be a little more of a politician and a little less of a college professor," wrote Martin Frost, a former Texas congressman, in an article for the news website Politico. "While a defensible position, it will not play well in the parts of the country where Democrats need the most help."

The comments also prompted an outpouring of indignation from the Right and among victims groups. Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and a possible 2012 presidential candidate, accused him of "pandering to radical Islam", while Peter King, a New York congressman, said he had "caved in to political correctness".

Within 24 hours, Mr

[BornToBeAmerican]

Never trust a Muslim

[sinanju]

Bringing you the reporting that the MSM just won’t do.

[240B]

So he was for it.
Then he was against it(sort of).

Now he is neither for it or against it.

??? What the hell is wrong with this guy ???

[casuist]

Were Obama to backpedal any faster time would move backwards. But here be the problem: to backpedal requires him to take up a straw-man position that he supports anyone’s legal right to build anywhere, which is a position that no one would oppose, and a position that was never at issue, so when Byron York of the Examiner says that Obama’s remarks were “Clintonian,” [ http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Obamas-Clintonian-speech-pulls-rug-from-under-mosque-supporters-100716539.html] I think he misses the mark, because Clinton was never goofed up quite this magnificently.

[Ann Archy]

He ALWAYS says BOTH SIDES of everything...ALWAYS!!

[BornToBeAmerican]

Never trust a Muslim

Because they do not think or reason like rational humans. For which their action, words and silence speak volumes

[MtnMan101]

[TruthHound]

More legal libspeak mumbo jumbo. “It depends on what the definition of ‘be’ be.”

Here’s one thing for sure, Downtown Manhattan will have a second round of rubble at ground zero.

[samtheman]

Never trust a Muslim

I'd sooner trust a Muslim than a Democrat.

[JaneNC]

2/3 were against HC too...
It really doesn’t matter to Obama.

We know what he thinks. He favors the mosque and his state department under Hillary has paid for the Imam to travel to the middle east. It could not be more clear.

[PA-RIVER]

He said he is not speaking about the wisdom to build that Mosque ..... yet he pays our tax dollars for the Imam who is building it to travel the world for Donations.

OBAMA = SCUMBAG

[hampdenkid]

Actually, I think that right now Clinton is actually laughing so hard he can hardly stand up. You can be certain, Billy Boy has never, ever forgiven Obama for sending his hacks out to label the former Pres a racist. Now, if Bill can just get Hillary to keep her trap shut and now come to SOBama’s rescue on this, it will grease the skids they have long since put in place to ease the Black Muslim Marxist out in 2012.

[popdonnelly]

Obama’s not fooling anyone. He was sending muslims a message that he is willing to see the mosque built. Does he really think we are so stupid, that he can tell us anything and get away with it? I’m beginning to think so.

[B4Ranch]

The Obama Mosque of Lower Manhattan is going to become a major issue in the half breeds downfall.

[quantim]

[Jmouse007]

Obama can OBFUSCATE, "backpedal", LIE, and "Walkback" all he wants but it is too late, Obama is nothing short of satanic. On Friday he told the Muslims he had gathered in the PEOPLES house, along with the entire world which side he is really on in the war on terror = America or Islam. He made his choice and sided with Islam over America and told us all that he approves of the MUSLIM 9/11 VICTORY Mosque, that He DOES NOT OBJECT TO IT and that he wants it built at the site of Islam's victory over America. HIS ADMINISTRATION, HIS STATE DEPARTMENT is spending OUR TAXPAYER MONEY TO SEND THE IMAM WHO IS HELL-BENT ON BUILDING THIS MONSTROSITY ALL OVER THE

I S L A M I C WORLD

TO RAISE MONEY TO BUILD THE 9/11 VICTORY MOSQUE AT GROUND ZERO IN ORDER TO HUMILIATE ALL OF AMERICA!

The words Obama said on Friday in support of this abomination he agreed to and proclaimed before all of those assembled and before the entire world OF HIS OWN FREE WILL. (For him to now be saying that he did not mean what he said is ridiculous.)

With his statement on Friday Obama COMPLETELY and PERMANENTLY BROKE FAITH WITH THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA! He once and for all told America and the World exactly which side he is on: He supports Islam and the enemies of the United States both at home and abroad. We have him speaking these words, on video. He can lie and obfuscate and try to "backpedal" all he wants, but it is too late, he cannot undo what he has done;

Obama didn't just "spit it the eye of America;" he pulled down his pants in front of the entire country and world, squatted on the hallowed 9/11/01 Ground Zero site and took a huge PUBLIC DUMP UPON GROUND ZERO AND UPON ALL OF AMERICA! After he was done, he got up, pulled up his pants, smiled, his narcissistic smile at the camera and said: "This is where I stand regarding America, Islam and Ground Zero."

Obama is Satan's servant = totally anti-American, anti-Semitic and filled with the spirit of antichrist.

[xuberalles]

Of course he supports it, no matter how he tries to spin it. What better way to desecrate the memory of those 3000 murdered at the hands of Islam? Makes me sick.

[Prussianone]

It’s in the Koran as a commandment to lie to the unbeliever. Sorry, Barry, it’s all over YouTube, and everybody is downloading it!

[PA-RIVER]

It looks like he was having dinner with AlQaida when he said this.

I guess he got lost in Ramadan Moment.