GOP senator suggests mosque will be election issue

[nmbluesky]

WASHINGTON — A Republican senator is suggesting there could be political fallout from President Barack Obama's remarks about building a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn (KOHR'-nihn) says Obama is "disconnected from mainstream America" and that voters this fall will "render their verdict." Cornyn leads the GOP's Senate campaign committee.

Obama has said that religious freedom allows the mosque to be built. But he says he's not commenting on "the wisdom" of building a mosque two blocks from ground zero.

Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island says the economy will remain the dominant election issue.

The senators appeared on "Fox News Sunday."

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) – A Republican senator is suggesting there could be political fallout from President Barack Obama's remarks about building a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn (KOHR'-nihn) says Obama is "disconnected from mainstream America" and that voters this fall will "render their verdict." Cornyn leads the GOP's Senate campaign committee.

Obama has said that religious freedom allows the mosque to be built. But he says he's not commenting on "the wisdom" of building a mosque two blocks from ground zero.

Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island says the economy will remain the dominant election issue.

The senators appeared on "Fox News Sunday."

[liberal N proud]

1. They are going to make anything Obama says or does an election issue

They have been doing that since day 1.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

8. Boy, ain't THAT the truth!

n/t

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. If a muslim COMMUNITY CENTER in New York City in the proximity of the former WTC

is the defining issue of this campaign, than our country is even more lost than I thought and I weep for the future!

WTF are the Republicans going to do about this if elected??? Pass a law prohibiting the building of muslim COMMUNITY CENTERS anywhere within the proximity of the former WTC (or any other self-designated "hallowed ground")????

Never mind the economy is still in trouble and the Republicans have done nothing in terms of solutions and, in fact, have been actively blocking any and all efforts to actually DO something about it. Is Cornyn SERIOUSLY suggesting that people are losing sleep over this issue or believe (if they even care) that Obama is "disconnected" from the public on this issue????

Argghhh!!!!!

:banghead: :puke:

[xxqqqzme]

13. That's the truth.

These rethugs are looking for ANYthing to serve as a distraction to their obstruction and war mongering.

Why should I care where a mosque is built in NYC? Thee are plenty of problems in my backyard. I don't need to cross the country looking for more.

[ibegurpard]

3. I suggest we remind them of Bush's speech urging tolerance and support

for Muslim Americans after 9/11

[SocialLib]

4. But don't you also have to ask the Muslims to be sensitive and supportive?

Why DO they have to build it there ?

[jefferson_dem]

6. Sensitive to what? Fucking bigoted teabaggery?!

Nah.

Of course, they don't *have* to build it there. Why do the Baptists *have* to plant a church on every other street corner in my town?

[SocialLib]

18. Did the Baptists kill 3,000 people just down the street?

I mean, have you forgotten what happen there already? In the name of Alla ?

[tanyev]

24. "I believe these are legitimate questions to ask."

"Mr. President, should they or should they not build a mosque steps away from where radical Islamists killed 3000 people? Please tell us your position."

[Proud Liberal Dem]

7. Why shouldn't they?

Maybe they thought that Bush meant what he said about America being a diverse and tolerant country and that most muslims were (and are) peaceful and not extremists like the people who perpetrated the attacks of 9/11? I don't think this whole thing was even an issue until the right-wing made it one. :shrug:

[Sheepshank]

9. I think a few (albeit too many) people tend to assume

that all sensitivites are dependent upon the the others' sentitivites being displayed forst. It's nothing but a terrible RW bogus attempt at justification of their own bigotry.

US standards and US Constitutional standards, religious standards are NOT the same as that of the UK, Church of England, Germany, Lutherans, Japan, Shinto , Saudi America or Islam. Are you saying then that here we should abandon our own standards because they are not the same as everyone elses? Who's standards should be implemented as the standard for all other groups to replicate?

Assinine statements carry no imperative for adherance.

[Arkana]

11. Because they own the land and have every right to build it there

no matter how many panties get tied in a knot?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. Excellent idea

For all his flaws, his post-9/11 calls for tolerance and unity were spot-on (I'm sorry, I think I just threw up a little bit saying that). It's too bad, though, that he didn't follow up with that sentiment by NOT invading Iraq and killing a whole lot of them and NOT torturing prisoners.

[Arkana]

10. Cornyn is wrong about everything anyway, so this makes me feel better.

[bigdarryl]

12. just because he thinks it's going to be an issue doesn't mean it's going to help them it could

BACK FIRE!! on there ass making the Muslim community come out in droves to vote AGAINST the rethugs

[Proud Liberal Dem]

14. Let's hope that it does.

Their immigrant (read: Hispanic) bashing isn't going to be doing wonders for them and Muslims, of course, vote too!

Personally, I think that it's Cornyn and his fellow Republicans whom are (hopelessly) "disconnected" from reality (and using drugs)

[AtomicKitten]

15. Bring it. Pres Obama will school them on the Constitution. nt

[babylonsister]

16. Cornyn is so out of touch, and dumb as a box of rox. nt

[rasputin1952]

17. A TX Senator says this wil be an issue...

but when the governor of TX states he is thinking about secession, that's somehow OK?

Cornyn has never been known as a towering intellectual, but this is another case of stupid from the GOP claptrap machine...:eyes:

[Skip Intro]

19. Political issue, yes, it will be. Right, wrong? Different thing. nt

[TheKentuckian]

20. Good, he can explain why he holds such contempt for our ideals and seeds and inflames bigotry

[KingFlorez]

21. In a couple of weeks, no one will care

There are many other things that come in ahead of this.

[LatteLibertine]

22. The Democratic party

need to make THE issue about the GoP's agenda to concentrate money and power upwards to the most wealthy with no regard for the good of the overwhelming majority of the US population.

They need to remind people of how the GoP governs when they are actually in the majority.

This Mosque issue is just another example of them peddling fear, anxiety and xenophobia.

President Obama should stand up for religious freedom and the overwhelming majority of Muslims who have nothing to do with terrorism. He should not let that become the central issue over what I've already noted.

[tanyev]

23. How sweet it would be to see them all swept out of power because of it.

[BeyondGeography]

25. Jack Reed is right, and Cornyn proves again that the GOP loves distractions