Obama in hot water over a proposed New York Mosque

President Obama may have meant well, but he is in extreme political hot water over statements he made regarding a proposed Muslim Mosque and Cultural Center, meant to be built two blocks from the former site of the World Trade Center, where 3,000 died during the September 11 attacks by Al Qaeda. The President took his guidance from New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who approved the Center, if it complies with city laws. Both men stated the obvious - it is legal for any religious group to build a structure on private property. Right now, that property is an empty and damaged factory.

The structure may be legal, and there are thousands of mosques around the country. There is one five blocks from Ground Zero. But polls show up to 70% of the people questioned oppose this one, calling it deeply offensive to the memory of those who perished. There are also concerns about the people financing the proposed 13 story, 100 million dollar structure. The backers say they want to build a center which honors the dead, and promotes religious and cultural understanding.

After the firestorm of criticism, President Obama said the next day, he was talking about the legal right to build it, but did not make a judgement about the wisdom of it. A few hours later, the White House issued a third clarification, saying the President was not taking back the original remarks he made at the White House Dinner.

At this time, in this slow month of August, the Mosque flap is dominating the news here. Politicians from both parties see it as insensitive. One commentator called it "a dumb political statement." He did not have to get into the argument at all; the President could have continued to call it a local, New York matter.

This controversy may affect the upcoming November elections, where the entire House and one third of the Senate face fights over their seats. This, combined with nearly 10% unemployment, and controversies over foreign and domestic policy, make it an extremely worrisome time for the nation, and for the Democratic Party, which now sits on an uneasy throne. Connie Lawn at the White House

ENDS

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