Portions of a Washington Times story from Sean Lengell.
Full story at the Washington Times:
Republicans on Sunday criticized President Obama for comments about a proposed mosque near New York's ground zero, suggesting that the matter will escalate into a significant campaign issue leading into the November midterm elections.
The president made his remarks at a Friday Ramadan service, but he quickly clarified them Saturday, undermining backers of the project who had cheered what they thought was White House support and prompting Republican accusations that Mr. Obama is prone to bad judgment.
Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican, said on "Fox News Sunday" that Mr. Obama's comments show that he "seems to be disconnected from the mainstream of America" and "that's one of the reasons people are so frustrated." . . .
Mr. Cornyn, who is chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the fundraising arm of Senate Republicans, denied that the controversy about building a mosque close to ground zero is about freedom of religion.
"We all respect the right of anyone to worship according to the dictates of their conscience," he said. "But I do think it's unwise ... to build a mosque at the site where 3,000 Americans lost their lives as a result of a terrorist attack."
Mr. Cornyn added that while the issue "is going to be a local decision," the "American people will render their verdict."
The Texan also suggested that the gap between the populace - which overwhelmingly opposes the mosque project - and the support it gets from Washington Democrats will play into a theme that the nation's coastal elites look down on and lecture the population.
"Whether you're listening [to the people] or whether you're lecturing to them, I think this is sort of the dichotomy that people sense - that they're being lectured to, not listened to. And I think that's the reason why a lot of people are very upset with Washington," he said.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, California Republican, called the proposed mosque an "overriding issue" heading into the November congressional elections.
Mr. McCarthy, speaking on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday, also questioned why the president is speaking publicly about a New York issue he has no power to control.
"Why isn't the president spending the time debating about jobs, instead of moving into New York?" said Mr. McCarthy, the House Republican chief deputy whip. "Why is he so insensitive about this area?" . . .
Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican, accused the president of "trying to have it both ways." "I don't know of anyone who was saying that Muslims do not have the right to practice their religion, but with rights go responsibilities, and that's the part of it the president did not comment on," he said on "State of the Union."
He also noted that Mr. Obama is "a gifted speaker" and "a tremendous communicator" whose Friday night words "were carefully chosen," leading Mr. King to conclude that the president had simply backed off on what he really thought once the political winds began to blow."
All I can think is perhaps there was political pressure from people in his own party who urged him to walk back away from that on Saturday. ... If the president was going to get into this, he should have been much more clear, much more precise, and you can't be changing your position from day to day," he concluded.
Mr. King said New York City's Muslim leaders should heed public opinion and halt the project."
If the imam and the Muslim leadership in that community is so intent on building bridges, then they should voluntarily move the mosque away from ground zero," he said. "This is such a raw wound, and they are just pouring salt into it."
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