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

[CanaGuy]

President Mickey Mosque

[Terry Mross]

It takes a London newspaper to say “enthusiastic support” instead of “interpreted by many”.

[ldish]

backtrack...BS!

[FrankR]

"Never trust a Muslim"

You are right...I heard Hannity interviewing a former muslim terrorist who told that every muslim is trained in [foreign word], which means to mislead others as to what their full intentions are...it was a spot on description of obama.

I don't trust any of them.

[K-oneTexas]

I have heard/read that:

1) The mosque organizer do not have any funds to build the mosque yet but now have all levels of government agreeing to allow them to do it.

2) The church that was at/near Ground Zero has the funds to rebuild but is being hit with all kinds of federal hurdles and can not proceed with rebuilding. Don’t recall but think if was Catholic church or Jewish Synagogue.

Has anyone else heard/read the same?

[Eddie01]

He’s for it, but he forgot he can’t say he’s for it or he’ll expose the truth he’s sympathic to the murdering death cult he’s working to usher in to America hoping to destroy America.

Obama hates America and is destroying it. Now at least New York has it figured out.

[freedumb2003]

When W misspoke, it was always word choice and a result of his mind racing ahead of his words. But the substance of his statements was always exactly what he meant it to be. He didn’t have to hide his agenda — it was part and parcel of who he was (and is).

The manchild foolish and gullible Americans have chosen is an idiot who shows his REAL agenda when he is away from the TOTUS. Even the rest of the world — who were soooo happy to have him — has come to view him with contempt.

I beat (as did almost all of us) the crowd and viewed him with contempt when he was a candidate.

2012 Can’t come soon enough.

[Menehune56]

Voting “present” again.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Democrat politicians, Impeach your “Muslim” Democrat POTUS Obama or go down with this anti-American incompetent!!!! Folks, Remember November!!!!

[livius]

It’s a Greek Orthodox Church, and you’re right, they have not been able to get through the red tape to rebuild, even though the church had been there for years and years. It was a very tiny church.

[rbmillerjr]

I don’t know if it is true, but I’m being told that Bush also sent this same imam to the Mideast for “dialogue”.

Blech...

[chris_bdba]

This is not playing well with middle America.We heard what you said and clairifying like we are too stupid to understand is making us even more P*SSED.Get the H*LL out of OUR HOUSE you MORON!2012 can’t come fast enough!

[Silentgypsy]

I spit on his grandmother’s shadow.

[truthandlife]

This administration has no idea of the heartbeat of this nation.

[Jim Scott]

Too little, too late. Besides, no one buys this blatant attempt by Obama to talk out of both sides of his mouth, as usual. First, he makes it crystal clear that he totally approves of the Ground Zero mosque being built, then tries to pretend that he thinks it might not be a good idea. Yeah, right.

Hey, Barry: were you lying then or are you lying now?

[TYVets]

Greek Orthodox

They are still using a tent for worship services.

[PA-RIVER]

I think you hit the nail on the head.

Obama is Satanic. Ramadan dinner in the White house?

This is why Michele went to Spain. Its a country of Islamic conquest. Spending a million tax dollars in Spain while America is in a Depression. What a beotch.

[ColdOne]

"not commenting on the wisdom of making the decision I have read that comment a few times.. what the heck does it mean? not commenting on the "smartness" of making the decision??? ANYONE?

[Menehune56]

Here's the story on the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Ground Zero outrage.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/08/nine-years-later-church-at-ground-zero-still-not-rebuilt-but-mad-rush-to-build-islamic-supremacist-m.html

[VOA]

bump