White House: politics no role in mosque remarks

[babylonsister]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100816/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_ground_zero_mosque_obama


White House: politics no role in mosque remarks
AP


ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE – A White House spokesman says politics wasn't a factor in President Barack Obama's remarks about building a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York City.

Deputy White House press secretary Bill Burton said it was "not politics" but Obama's feeling that he had the obligation as president to "make sure people are treated equally" under the Constitution.

Obama has said that religious freedom allows the mosque to be built, but without commenting on the wisdom of building one two blocks from ground zero. Republicans have pounded him for his comments, making it a prime midterm election issue.

Burton said Obama "felt it was his obligation as president to address this." Obama was on the way to Wisconsin for fundraising.

[Inuca]

1. Somewhat OT, but did anyone

hear/see/read Bloomberg's speech about this from a week or so ago? I heard a big snippet of it in the car, otherwise I would have applauded at the end. Really great!

[babylonsister]

3. Yes, it was fabulous...

Michael Bloomberg delivers stirring defense of mosque

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8873347

[Inuca]

4. Of course YOU knew about it

you know about everything :-). I just happened upon it on my long drive to work, and was very, very impressed.

[tridim]

2. The President swore an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

It's not his fault that his predecessor had his finger's crossed when he swore the same oath.

[DevonRex]

5. K&R. If anything it was politically risky but it had to be done. nt

[AlinPA]

6. I could see him knocking the knees out from under a republican on this issue in a 2012 debate.

The question will come up. He will blow the republican away.