Obama: Mosque Remarks about Rights, Not My Views

(AP)  Updated at 6:25 p.m. ET

Weighing his words carefully on a fiery political issue, President Obama said Saturday that Muslims have the right to build a mosque near New York's ground zero, but he did not say whether he believes it is a good idea to do so.

Mr. Obama commented during a trip to Florida, where he expanded on a Friday night White House speech asserting that Muslims have the same right to freedom of religion as everyone else in America.

The president's statements thrust him squarely into a debate that he had skirted for weeks and could put Democrats on the spot three months before midterm elections where they already were nervous about holding control of the House and maybe even the Senate. Until Friday, the White House had asserted that it did not want to get involved in local decision-making.

The White House quickly followed up on Mr. Obama's latest comments on the matter, with presidential spokesman Bill Burton saying that the president wasn't backing off in any way from the remarks he made Friday.

"What he said last night, and reaffirmed today, is that if a church, a synagogue or a Hindu temple can be built on a site, you simply cannot deny that right to those who want to build a mosque," Burton said.

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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent who has been a strong supporter of the mosque, welcomed Mr. Obama's White House speech as a "clarion defense of the freedom of religion."

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who was among those who met with Mr. Obama on Saturday, lauded the president's position. Crist is running for the U.S. Senate as an independent.

"I think he's right — I mean you know we're a country that in my view stands for freedom of religion and respect for others," Crist said after the Florida meeting with Mr. Obama and other officials. "I know there are sensitivities and I understand them. This is a place where you're supposed to be able to practice your religion without the government telling you you can't."

Others were quick to pounce on Mr. Obama's statements.

In a statement Saturday, House Minority Leader John Boehner said the decision to build the mosque wasn't an issue of religious freedom, but a matter of respect.

"The fact that someone has the right to do something doesn't necessarily make it the right thing to do," Boehner said. "That is the essence of tolerance, peace and understanding."

Democratic Senate candidate Jeff Greene of Florida took Mr. Obama's Friday speech to mean the president supports the construction.

"President Obama has this all wrong and I strongly oppose his support for building a mosque near ground zero especially since Islamic terrorists have bragged and celebrated destroying the Twin Towers and killing nearly 3,000 Americans," said Greene. "Freedom of religion might provide the right to build the mosque in the shadow of ground zero, but common sense and respect for those who lost their lives and loved ones gives sensible reason to build the mosque someplace else."

The mosque would be part of a $100 million Islamic community center two blocks from where nearly 3,000 people perished when hijacked jetliners slammed into the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

The proposed construction has sparked debate around the country that has included opposition from top Republicans including Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich as well as the Jewish civil rights group the Anti-Defamation League.

Mr. Obama's Friday comment was taken by some to mean that he strongly supports the building of an Islamic center near the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, something he never said.

Speaking to a gathering at the White House Friday evening to observe the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Mr. Obama said that he believes "Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country."

"That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances," he said. "This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable."

Asked Saturday about the issue during his trip to Florida, Mr. Obama said: "I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there. I was commenting very specifically on the right that people have that dates back to our founding."

Mr. Obama said that "my intention was simply to let people know what I thought. Which was that in this country we treat everybody equally and in accordance with the law, regardless of race, regardless of religion."

Some relatives of people killed in the Sept. 11 attacks supported Mr. Obama's comments.

The mosque is "in many ways ... a fitting tribute," said Colleen Kelly of the Bronx, who lost her brother Bill Kelly Jr. in the attacks.

"This is the voice of Islam that I believe needs a wider audience," said Kelly, who is Catholic. "This is what moderate Islam is all about."

Opinions are mixed among family members.

Sally Regenhard, whose firefighter son was killed at the World Trade Center, has said the president's comments show "a gross lack of sensitivity to the 9/11 families and to the people who were lost."

Mr. Obama surely knew that his words Friday night at a White House dinner marking the holy month of Ramadan not only would make headlines, but be heard by Muslims worldwide. The president has made it a point to reach out to the global Muslim community, and the more than 100 guests at Friday's dinner included ambassadors and officials from numerous nations where Islam is observed, including Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

When Mr. Obama first took office, Muslim leaders had high hopes from his presidency, even as he kept his distance from them during the campaign and rebutted false rumors that he was Muslim.

Their expectations were raised further after a June 2009 speech in Cairo, where Mr. Obama said he wanted to forge a relationship between the U.S. and Muslims based on respect and partnerships with the private sector and civil society.

But many leaders have since become disappointed in the president, believing he has mostly kept his outreach to their community behind the scenes. Many Muslims had also hoped he would reverse several Bush administration policies they felt unfairly targeted them after the Sept. 11 attacks, such as no-fly lists and the Patriot Act.

[Erighteous]

ARE YOU ALL SO IGNORANT TO THE FACT THAT OUR GOV. AND OBAMA HAS THIS UNDER CONTROL?? HAVE ANY OF U EVER THOUGHT MAYBE THEY WILL BUILD THE mOSQUE AT GROUNG ZERO TO LURE IN THE OFFENDERS WHO COME HERE THINKING WE ARE SO IGNORANT AS TO WHO THEY ARE AND LET THEM IN TO "SEE" TO GIVE THEMSELVES SUCH GLORIFICATION OF WHAT THEY "THINK" THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED TO BATHE IN THEIR GLORY, LIKE ALL OTHER "DICTATORS" THEY WILL COME, THESE TWISTED DICTATORS WANT TO SEE WITH THEIR EYES WHAT THEY HAVE DONE,LIKE ARMADINAJON, THEY ARE "SICK" LIKE HIM AND THEY WILL BE CAUGHT IN THE WEB WE ARE SPILLING FOR THEM, PRESIDENT OBAMA IS A GOD SENT, LET HIM BE, HE IS DOING HIS "JOB" FOR US AND WE WILL ALL SEE IN THE END.................

[voxpopulus]

"America treasures the relationship we have with our many Muslim friends, and we respect the vibrant faith of Islam which inspires countless individuals to lead lives of honesty, integrity, and morality. This year, may Eid also be a time in which we recognize the values of progress, pluralism, and acceptance that bind us together as a Nation and a global community. By working together to advance mutual understanding, we point the way to a brighter future for all."

[TJphoto]

I support him when he was running. I now no longer believe a single word he says. Consider that my last word on the matter until Nov. 2012.

[bootstrap2]

He is right that they have the constitutional right and we as a democratic nation with civil rights must respect that, but he needs to finish the story by stating that it is insensitive to place it their and if they really are interested in building bridges they will move the location further away.

[texas_liberal]

The GOP should change its mascot logo from an elephant, to a Running Chicken!

[americanpatriots]

This has nothing to do with race, so you liberal Marxist's knock that crap off. This has everything to do with right and wrong and it is wrong to build a mosque where this country was attacked by muslim terrorists. In case you liberal jag offs can't figure it out its Tea Party, most of you morons belong in Venezuela or Cuba or Russia but you damn sure do not exhibit American traits.

[strugnell]

I find the unholy alliance between the guy`s on the left and Islam highly amusing . I`m an Englishman living in the UK and even here , across the pond , we have much the same problem . Most people seem to feel it is inappropriate to build an Islamic centre / mosque on this site . Commonsense say`s - don`t build .
A word of warning to the left . Learn from history and stop using jingoism . Don`t paint yourself into a corner on high principles defending a religion that has such a poor tract record on human right`s .

[sheila1346]

I do not understand why people are screaming mad about a situation they know nothing about. A few hysterical Fox news pundits get on the air with lies and half truths and everyone is in an uproar. This is the United States and we have freedom of religion. Period! No mosque is going to be built at ground zero. There has been a mosque for over 40 years in the neighboorhood and these people had absolutely nothing to do with the World trade center disaster. They have property several blocks away from their mosque and ground zero. They are planning on building a cultural community center for their congregation. A place for family gatherings, weddings, a place for kids and teens you know like many other neighborhoods have. This is no plot these are people who have lived in the neighboorhood for years. The President is absolutely right these members of our society have the same rights as everyone else. Many many of the members are US citizens and those who are not are probably related to citizens. This is exactly the type of thing the founding fathers were trying to prevent a blind hatred for some one because of their religion. I am outraged that no one has bothered to even get the facts before running off at the mouth about sacred ground and ground zero as this has nothing to do with ground zero. This is in my opinion a hate crime that is taking place here against a group of people that you do not even know. This country was founded on a few principles and the single most important one was that this is NOT A CHRISTIAN NATION and anyone who thinks so needs to go back and read the works of Thomas Jefferson and the other founding fathers.

[banned114times]

True or False? A Democrat is more likely to?

1) A Democrat is like an AIDS virus, who attacks the healthy cells (the Conservatives) and allows the bad cells (Islam) to destroy the body (the United States)? True or false?

2) A Democrat is more likely to side with a Muslim who would cut his/her head off when he's done with the useful idiot, instead of siding with a Christian who truly believes in "live and let live"? True or false?

3) A Democrat wearing a "pro abortion" T-shirt is more likely to spit on a US soldier, after he/she screams, "baby killer!" at an anti-war rally? True or false?

4) A Democrat is more likely to have sex with total strangers at swingers clubs and/or bath houses? True or false?

5) A Democrat is more likely to do what "feels good" rather than use their brain and do what's right? True or False?

6) A Democrat is more likely to be totally incapable to taking responsibility for his/her actions? True or false?

7) A Democrat is more likely blame everyone for their problems? True or False?

8) A Democrat is more likely to have a sex change? True or false?

9) A Democrat is more likely to foam at the mouth for no apparent reason? True or false?

10) A Democrat is more likely to be completely insane and not even know it? In fact, a Democrat is so insane they think their ideas are superior? True or false?

11) A Democrat is more likely to claim they're "green" but would be too lazy to walk 20 feet to the recycle bin? True or False?

12) A Democrat is more likely to smoke Crack? True or false?

13) A Democrat is more likely to demand the possessions of a more successful neighbor (a nice car, pool, furniture, bank account, ect..) even though they refuse to earn it? True or false?

14) A Democrat is more likely to be accepting of people ONLY if he/she agrees with them? True or false?

15) A Democrat is more likely to be late to his baby's birth in favor of smoking a joint? True or false?

16) A Democrat is more likely to live in the ghetto? True or false?

17) A Democrat is more likely to "express him/herself" publicly? True or false?

18) A Democrat is more likely to rent-to-own furniture? True or false?

19) A Democrat is more likely to lose control of their bowels from "wear and tear" on the rectum, due to an overactive **** lifestyle? True or false?

20) A Democrat is more likely to make decisions based on emotions and without much thought of the consequences of their decisions.? True or false?

21) A Democrat is more likely to drink 40 ounce malt liquor? True or false?

22) A Democrat is more likely to have a large object (shot glass, candle, coke bottle, plunger, ect..) removed from his rectum by a doctor at the ER? True or false?

23) A Democrat is more likely to live with mom until their 40's? True or false?

24) A Democrat is more likely to masturbate at a busy intersection? True or false?

25) A Democrat is more likely to complain about something given to them for free? True or false?

26) A Democrat is more likely accuse someone of something they themselves are guilty of? True or false?

27) A Democrat is more likely to sell a baby for drugs? True or false?

28) A Democrat is more likely to claim they were abducted by aliens? True or false?

29) A Democrat is more likely to cheat on a test? True or false?

30) A Democrat is more likely than anyone else to cut class in favor of smoking pot? True or false?

31) A Democrat (man or woman) is more likely to have a tattoo that says, "Tramp" above their buttox? True or false?

32) If a Democrat had a choice between buying a Crack pipe or fixing a flat tire, but could not afford both, he/she would chose a crack pipe, even if that meant driving on the rim? True or false?

33) A Democrat is more likely to establish the rules as they see fit? True or false?

34) A Democrat is more likely to buy a 50" Plasma TV before buying health insurance? True or false?

35) A Democrat is more likely to become violent at a political gathering? True or false?

36) A Democrat is more likely to break the law and find a way to make themselves appear the victim? True of false?

37) A Democrat is more likely hate the police, judges, military, CIA, etc.. and would gladly side with a criminal, special interest, or the enemy of our country? True or false?

38) A Democrat is more likely to live totally free off the government, work under the table without paying taxes and then scream, "greedy capitalists!" when it comes time for them to pay for goods or services? True or False?

39) A Democrat is more likely to complain to a webmaster to have your post removed if he disagrees with you? True or false?

Thanks for your comment, banned114times.

[banned114times]

True or False? A Democrat is more likely to?

1) A Democrat is like an AIDS virus, who attacks the healthy cells (the Conservatives) and allows the bad cells (Islam) to destroy the body (the United States)? True or false?

2) A Democrat is more likely to side with a Muslim who would cut his/her head off when he's done with the useful idiot, instead of siding with a Christian who truly believes in "live and let live"? True or false?

3) A Democrat wearing a "pro abortion" T-shirt is more likely to spit on a US soldier, after he/she screams, "baby killer!" at an anti-war rally? True or false?

4) A Democrat is more likely to have sex with total strangers at swingers clubs and/or bath houses? True or false?

5) A Democrat is more likely to do what "feels good" rather than use their brain and do what's right? True or False?

6) A Democrat is more likely to be totally incapable to taking responsibility for his/her actions? True or false?

7) A Democrat is more likely blame everyone for their problems? True or False?

8) A Democrat is more likely to have a sex change? True or false?

9) A Democrat is more likely to foam at the mouth for no apparent reason? True or false?

10) A Democrat is more likely to be completely insane and not even know it? In fact, a Democrat is so insane they think their ideas are superior? True or false?

11) A Democrat is more likely to claim they're "green" but would be too lazy to walk 20 feet to the recycle bin? True or False?

12) A Democrat is more likely to smoke Crack? True or false?

13) A Democrat is more likely to demand the possessions of a more successful neighbor (a nice car, pool, furniture, bank account, ect..) even though they refuse to earn it? True or false?

14) A Democrat is more likely to be accepting of people ONLY if he/she agrees with them? True or false?

15) A Democrat is more likely to be late to his baby's birth in favor of smoking a joint? True or false?

16) A Democrat is more likely to live in the ghetto? True or false?

17) A Democrat is more likely to "express him/herself" publicly? True or false?

18) A Democrat is more likely to rent-to-own furniture? True or false?

19) A Democrat is more likely to lose control of their bowels from "wear and tear" on the rectum, due to an overactive **** lifestyle? True or false?

20) A Democrat is more likely to make decisions based on emotions and without much thought of the consequences of their decisions.? True or false?

21) A Democrat is more likely to drink 40 ounce malt liquor? True or false?

22) A Democrat is more likely to have a large object (shot glass, candle, coke bottle, plunger, ect..) removed from his rectum by a doctor at the ER? True or false?

23) A Democrat is more likely to live with mom until their 40's? True or false?

24) A Democrat is more likely to masturbate at a busy intersection? True or false?

25) A Democrat is more likely to complain about something given to them for free? True or false?

26) A Democrat is more likely accuse someone of something they themselves are guilty of? True or false?

27) A Democrat is more likely to sell a baby for drugs? True or false?

28) A Democrat is more likely to claim they were abducted by aliens? True or false?

29) A Democrat is more likely to cheat on a test? True or false?

30) A Democrat is more likely than anyone else to cut class in favor of smoking pot? True or false?

31) A Democrat (man or woman) is more likely to have a tattoo that says, "Tramp" above their buttox? True or false?

32) If a Democrat had a choice between buying a Crack pipe or fixing a flat tire, but could not afford both, he/she would chose a crack pipe, even if that meant driving on the rim? True or false?

33) A Democrat is more likely to establish the rules as they see fit? True or false?

34) A Democrat is more likely to buy a 50" Plasma TV before buying health insurance? True or false?

35) A Democrat is more likely to become violent at a political gathering? True or false?

36) A Democrat is more likely to break the law and find a way to make themselves appear the victim? True of false?

37) A Democrat is more likely hate the police, judges, military, CIA, etc.. and would gladly side with a criminal, special interest, or the enemy of our country? True or false?

38) A Democrat is more likely to live totally free off the government, work under the table without paying taxes and then scream, "greedy capitalists!" when it comes time for them to pay for goods or services? True or False?

39) A Democrat is more likely to complain to a webmaster to have your post removed if he disagrees with you? True or false?

Thanks for your comment, banned114times.