GOP calls Obama insensitive over stand on mosque

[sabra]

Source: WP/AP

WASHINGTON -- Republican candidates around the country seized on President Barack Obama's support for the right of Muslims to build a mosque near ground zero, assailing him as an elitist who is insensitive to the families of the Sept. 11 victims.

From statehouses to state fairs on Tuesday, Republican incumbents and challengers unleashed an almost unified line of criticism against the president days after he forcefully defended the construction of a $100 million Islamic center two blocks from the site of the 2001 terror attacks.

Recalling the emotion of that deadly day, Republicans said that while they respect religious freedom, the president's position was cold and academic, lacking compassion and empathy for the victims' families.

"He is thinking like a lawyer and not like an American, making declarations without America's best interest in mind," said Andrew Harris, a Republican running for Congress in Maryland against first-term Democratic Rep. Frank Kratovil.

...

"Well I think it's another example of him playing the role of law professor. ... We can have a great debate about the legal arguments. But it's not about that," Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said in an interview Monday on Fox News.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/17/AR2010081704318.html

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:eyes:

[Angry Dragon]

1. "We can have a great debate about the legal arguments"

So according to little timmy personal wishes and wants trumps legality??

No wonder Minnesota is in such a sorry state with him at the helm, or when he is actually in Minnesota

[emulatorloo]

15. I thought all these guys were "Strict Constitutionalists"

Funny how that goes out the window when they want to score bullshit political points.

[damntexdem]

2. Insensitive to bigots, charlatans, an hypocrites.

To be "sensitive" to the mosque one has to be bigoted or ignorant in the first place.

Sufis had nothing to do with 9/11. Not that Shia nor Sunnis other than Al Qaida did either. But Sufis in particular have been the victims of religious intolerance in the Muslim world and have to common cause with Al Qaida and like groups.

[Gman]

3. There they go all passive aggressive again

They're the best manipulators

[BadgerKid]

4. Way to frame this as Obama's problem, not GOPs intolerance to religious freedom.

Dispicable GOP.

[onethatcares]

5. I thought the Constitution trumped every bit of bullshit

emotional or whatever.

Can't these folks get their stories straight? As far as "respecting religious freedom" these sores on the backside of respect have nothing.

[HuckleB]

6. The GOP shows its anti-American self again.

Why does the GOP run against one of the greatest tenets of the nation? As usual, the scumbags have no shame. Clearly they despise America's ideals, and they want to turn the country into a backwater of xenophobic ijits.

[Wilms]

7. And what did they call the Wimpy Chimpy War Criminal?

Former President Bush won't comment on Ground Zero mosque

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4506563&mesg_id=4506563

[DBoon]

8. What part of this do they not understand?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; "

[Sanity Claws]

9. How dare the GOP call ANYONE insensitive about anything

They are the most insensitive, uncharitable gang of thieves that existed.

I just watched the Glenn Beck diatribe against the 99ers and I am incensed.

[Maeve]

10. Proving once again that irony is not dead eom

[Qutzupalotl]

11. Projection is not just a room at the movie theater.

What about the Muslims who worked in the WTC and died in the attacks? Don't their families deserve a place to pay their respects and work for healing?

"We can have a great debate about the legal arguments. But it's not about that." Of course not, Tim, because you'll LOSE.

Republicans attacked Obama when they said he wasn't supporting the Constitution. Now they're attacking him for supporting it. Repeal the 14th Amendment? Modify the First? They only love the Constitution when it suits their purposes. What they really love more than the Constitution is fear, division and hate. Scapegoating minorities is they only way they can feel superior.

Democrats MUST go on the attack: Republicans hate freedom of religion! They hate the Constitution so much they want to rewrite it! They're as un-American as they come!

[aquart]

12. They'd say he was wrong no matter what he said.

And if he said nothing, they'd say he was wrong to do that.

[AlbertCat]

13. A summery

step one: GOP freaks over nothing stoking fear, hatred and racism

step two: Obama is forced to go on TV to explain the 1st Amendment to citizens of the USA.

step three: GOP freaks over nothing stoking fear, hatred and racism

[Jefferson23]

14. The Democrats need to be pushing home the truer meaning of "insensitive" and

Reid needs to find a spine too. How lovely for the Senate Majority leader to break with Obama. I'm in a tough race so I'll say what it takes
Reid bullshit. The First Amendment BUT......

Nevada Democratic Sen. Harry Reid breaks from President Obama on Ground Zero mosque

WASHINGTON — The Senate's top Democrat today came out against plans to build a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, moving away from President Barack Obama on the controversial election-year issue.

Locked in a tight race, Nevada Sen. Harry Reid became the highest profile Democrat to respond to Obama, who last week backed the right for the developers to build a mosque near ground zero. Since his comments Friday, the Democratic president and his aides have worked to explain the statement, which drew criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike.

"The First Amendment protects freedom of religion," said Jim Manley, a Reid spokesman. "Senator Reid respects that, but thinks that the mosque should be built some place else."

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/nevada_democratic_sen_harry_re.html

[sabrina 1]

16. So Reid will only protect the Constitution when it's easy.

He acknowledges the rights granted in the Constitution, but only when it's convenient. Benjamin Franklin would not be surprised to see the spinelessness of elected officials when it comes to protecting the Constitution he said 'we have given you if you can keep it'.

And they aren't even required to risk their lives, just maybe risk the ire of the radical fringes of the far right. And that, the bigory of the far right fringes of this country will never change especially when they are handed victory after victory by spineless politicians and their advisers.

[Jefferson23]

18. It is pathetic. It's not as though there are only two choices, back down or

tell those in opposition to the mosque they're nothing but racists. Reid should be out there and surrogates for Democrats too,
talking about these absurd fears. They won't change everyones mind, but he needs to shows his state what he stands for and why.

[Jade Fox]

17. I can't believe they are playing the 'insensitive' card.....

Proof once again that Conservatives completely lack originality.