By wading into the ground zero mosque issue, President Obama Republicans Provided with an emotion-Ridden attack vehicle while diverting attention of campaign issues of concern from fellow Democrats.
A senior Republican strategic Said That Being GOP Candidates are encouraged to talk about the issue as much as POSSIBLE.
Meanwhile, a House Democratic leadership aide Said the issue was dominating the conversation "when Democrats Political Need to stress campaign themes as such" Economic recovery and saving Social Security.
"We understand why the president'd want to talk about this issue, but their the Timing Could not Have Been Any worse," the House Democratic leadership aide said.
The Political sources spoke is a condition of Not Being Identified by name Because They Are not have permission to speak publicly on the issue.
For the ITS part, the White House Sought Thurs tamp down the discussion Monday. Speaking Thurs Reporters, White House spokesman Bill Burton sidestepped a question is a Republican and tried StrategyPoints Thurs declare the Debate over. "The President Did not do this Because of the politics," Burton Said, adding: "That I think it's a" Debate that was had, and we've weighed in ".
The topic dominated the Sunday morning talk shows, with Republicans calling Obama insensitive for Supporting the right of Muslims to Build an Islamic Center That would include a mosque two blocks from where the 9 / 11 attacks killed more than just 2.700 people.
Some predicted Political repercussions for Democrats in November's Congressional election, Even though They agreed with Obama That Freedom of religion is a vital part of American democracy.
"The Muslims have, as everyone else does, the right to practice religion and Their They have the Right to construct a mosque at ground zero if They wish," Rep. Peter King, R-New York, Said is CNN's "State of the Union" program. "What I'm Saying, though, think there is Crap think Listen to public opinion; They think there tional to the Deep Wounds and this is causing anguish Thurs So Many good people."
Republican strategic Ed Rollins, a senior CNN Political Contributor Thurs, summed up the GOP perspective.
"Intellectually, the President May be right, but their proposal this is an emotional issue, and people Ken lost kids, brothers, sisters, fathers, what not have you, Some do not want that mosque in New York, and it's going to be a big, big issue for Democrats across this country, "Said Rollins on the CBS program" Face the Nation. "
On the cloudy programfiles, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine Challenged the Republican logic.
"You know, we see an awful lot of Republicans going out and Saying we've got to Respect the Constitution, and that means Thurs respectfull but we have it," Kaine said. "We can not tarnish people's First Amendment rights."
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, Said on the CBS program on That at the Islamic Center in Political issue shouldn't not have resonance.
"I can not Imagine That Any American - Given the challenges Facing this country - is going to vote based on what they Said about the mosque," Said Rendell of the November election. "The mosque is an Unfortunate situation, we do not have vain a right to practice our religion Freely Wherever me choose. Rights are not in the subject line to the popular vote or Majority vote."
In a speech at a White House dinner Friday marking the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Said Obama Muslims "not have the right to practice cloudy Their religion as anyone else in this country."
"That includes the Right to build a place of worship and a community center is a private property in Lower Manhattan In accordance with local Laws and ordinances," he added.
The next day, Obama Told Ed Henry, CNN's chief White House correspondent, That they was "not commenting on the wisdom" of the project, just the broader Principle That Should the government treat "Equal" everyone, regardless "of religion.
His comments were Considered by some Thurs back track from what they Said at Friday's dinner, prompting a White House spokesman Thurs Further clarify the president's remarks later Saturday.
Both the topic and Obama's Need to clarify at his initial remarks evoked Criticism from Republicans.
It. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Told "Fox News Sunday" that Obama's Stance demonstrated how "Washington, the White House, the administration, the president Himself Seems to Be disconnected from the mainstream of America."
"This is sort of the dichotomy That sense people, That they're Being lectured Thurs - not listened to - and I think that's the reason why a lot of people are very upset with Washington," Cornyn said.
On the program on CNN, King, Said Obama's Lack Of Clarity Further muddied the issue.
"If the president was going to get into this, they think there Have Been much more clear, much more Precise, and can not you be changing your position from day Thurs day is an issue wakes does go to our Constitution, and it goes also Life Style Thurs extreme sensitivity, "King said.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-California, Accused of diverting attention of Obama from a bigger issue - high unemployment - as the campaign heats up for the November Congressional Elections. Democrats are Expected To Lose Both seats in the House and Senate, though it is unclear if Their majorities in either chamber are at risk Serious.
"Why isn't the president Spending time debating about the jobs INSTEAD of moving into New York?" McCarthy Asked on the program on CNN. "And why is they so insensitive about this area, as well, Thurs Engage in a local issue that's causing a problem Throughout the nation" when the nation Feels the sensitivity and a deep sensitivity Thurs this exact location? "
Democrats responded That Critics fail Thurs distinguish Between al Qaeda Terrorists Ken carried out the 9 / 11 attacks and the Islam religion, wakes includes peaceful adherents all over the world, Including the United States.
"It is insensitive only if you regard 'Islam as the culprit as opposed Thurs al Qaeda as the culprit," Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-New York, Said is the program on CNN. "We were attacked by Not all Muslims. .... There were Muslims killed there. There were Muslims in Ken ran as first responders Thurs help."
The issue was one of personal rights, not Political popularity, Said Nadler, adding: "We do Not put the Bill of Rights, we do Not the Religious Freedom put to a vote."
The House Democratic leadership aide lamented That the topic was getting so much attention of.
"We were supposed to Be talking about Social Security in coming this week," Said the aide, referring Thurs Democratic Criticism of Republican CALLS Thurs privatize the government-run pension program on. "This is a really good issue for us. And instead, we're talking about the mosque."
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