TPMDC
Feingold Rips Cordoba House Opposition
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)
Share
Send to a friend!
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) is strongly supporting the right of Muslims to build a community center near Ground Zero in New York, saying that its opponents are guilty of "gutter politics."
He called the opposition "one of the worst things I've ever seen done in politics."
WisPolitics reports:
Asked where he comes down on the proposal to build a mosque and community center near the site of the World Trade Center attacks, Feingold said it's tragic there isn't a proper memorial at the site.
"It's just wrong after all these years that there isn't that kind of memorial," he said.
Feingold said those who are looking to use the issue as a political wedge are guilty of "gutter politics" and "one of the worst things I've ever seen done in politics."
"In the end I believe in freedom of religion," he said. "If somebody owns property and it's within the zoning rules, if they want to build a house of worship that is a fundamental right. And I would make the point I am for freedom on this point, and freedom of religion is fundamental."
Comments (40) | Join the Conversation!
Follow us!
Most Popular
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2010 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
mcc
August 19, 2010 2:19 PM
Thank you.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
subzer0epsil0n
August 19, 2010 2:26 PM in reply to mcc
Seconded.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
davidfarrar
August 19, 2010 3:13 PM in reply to subzer0epsil0n
Isn't there anybody here who, like myself, is getting pretty tired of politicians attacking the political motives instead of addressing their issues? Whatever happened to respecting our political differences first, addressing them in a constructive way, and allowing the listener to make their own informed decision?
I don't know what the right answer is as it relates to the Cordoba House project, but any politician who first attacks the political motives of their opponents, isn't interested in allowing our democracy to moving forward in the right direction, but in blocking its process.
ex animo
davidfarrar
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mans_best_friend
August 19, 2010 3:19 PM in reply to davidfarrar
The motivation IS the issue. The GOP doesn't actually give a rat's ass about the Cordoba House. They're just cynically using it as a wedge issue in an election year.
SSDD.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
howie911
August 19, 2010 3:43 PM in reply to davidfarrar
"Whatever happened to respecting our political differences first, addressing them in a constructive way, and allowing the listener to make their own informed decision?"
I have a two word answer, "Fox News". "Informed decision"... if only!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
August 19, 2010 5:37 PM in reply to davidfarrar
You only seem to find it tiring it when a) a Democrat is doing the attacking and b) the attack is transparently true. Every time Newt Gingrich or Sarah Palin or Karl Rove or Liz Cheney open their mouths, you know an attack on the motives of a Democrat, or of all Democrats, will come flying out before they shut them. I never once saw you take them to task for it.
If this be an attack on your motives, make the most of it.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
nova voter
August 19, 2010 7:10 PM in reply to davidfarrar
There are very few people here like you, wacko. Thank the good FSM for that.
You could try giving sailormarlowe a call though.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
August 19, 2010 2:23 PM
I wonder if Feingold is going to call out Harry Reid and Howard Dean for being dead wrong on this issue?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
chimpale
August 19, 2010 2:35 PM in reply to Jonathan
I would hope that they might read or hear what he had to say and be intelligent enough to realize they were wrong.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Mary Alice
August 19, 2010 2:53 PM in reply to Jonathan
Howard Dean????
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
libdevil
August 19, 2010 2:56 PM in reply to Mary Alice
Yep. Disgusting, isn't it?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ondioline
August 19, 2010 3:09 PM in reply to Jonathan
He just did.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Jim H
August 19, 2010 2:33 PM
Memo to other Dems: Copy and Paste.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
cwnidog
August 19, 2010 3:53 PM in reply to Jim H
It's really all that needs to be said, isn't it?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
It's Pat
August 19, 2010 6:26 PM in reply to cwnidog
Yep.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
xargaw
August 19, 2010 2:35 PM
This should be a non-issue. They own the property. The intended use complys with zoning. End of story.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Mary Alice
August 19, 2010 2:52 PM
I heart Russ Feingold. I would like to see him our first Jewish president. With Anthony Weiner vice-president. If nothing else, we would have a die-off by stroke and/or heart attack by a heap-o- right-wingers. I can dream, can't I? Shall we take a poll?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Mary Alice
August 19, 2010 2:55 PM in reply to Mary Alice
FYI.... I am not a beady-eyed, crazed Zionist. I am an 81 year-old woman, all wits intact, southern WASP.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mb55
August 19, 2010 4:39 PM in reply to Mary Alice
I'll bet you don't have a long nose either, Mary Alice. Nice stereotype.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
August 19, 2010 5:39 PM in reply to Mary Alice
If they survived Obama's inauguration, I'm pretty sure they could take a Jewish president in stride.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jdb316
August 19, 2010 6:39 PM in reply to Mary Alice
The GOP has been (mostly in vain) trying to recruit Jewish voters for years, namely by using Israel as a wedge issue. If the GOP can't make those efforts pay off this year, it never will.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
glblank
August 19, 2010 3:00 PM in reply to Mary Alice
Russ seriously considered running in 08 but just went through a divorce and knew that what do him in.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Official A
August 20, 2010 6:42 AM in reply to glblank
But it didn't stop Giuliani, did it? Same with Vitter and Spitzer. Double standards abound. Apparently, it's enough to *say* "family values".
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mans_best_friend
August 19, 2010 3:02 PM
'Bout damned time some of our 'leaders' started telling it like it is. Left unchallenged, lies become accepted by default.
And I hope people like Reid and Dean are embarrassed by their acquiescence to the GOP scare campaign.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Joel
August 19, 2010 3:02 PM
Feingold has more integrity than every other politician combined. He was the only Senator to vote against the Patriot Act, and when questioned why, his response was "because I read the legislation and didn't agree with it. I read every piece of legislation."
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
aq
August 19, 2010 5:19 PM in reply to Joel
I can think of a few sitting reps and senators who'd do that now... not JUST Feingold...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Official A
August 20, 2010 6:43 AM in reply to Joel
Franken?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jimspice
August 19, 2010 3:03 PM
Proud to call him my Senator.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jdb316
August 19, 2010 6:35 PM in reply to jimspice
So make sure he fends off this Johnson fella and gets re-elected.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dadzilla
August 19, 2010 3:29 PM
This is why Feingold should be encouraged to run for higher office.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Knightro
August 19, 2010 3:43 PM
This is why, despite living a thousand miles south of Wisconsin, I proudly display my Feingold bumper sticker.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ogliberal
August 19, 2010 4:01 PM
Feingold has done some things to piss off the base but this will put them right back on his side. And his principled stance - based on the Constitution and property rights - will probably win over some libertarians who are currently on the fence. Not only is what Feingold doing the right think morally and Constitutionally - it's a sound electoral strategy. Jack Conway is going to lose base votes because of his, "just not here", position while not winning over any of the fencesitters...at least not winning them over based on this issue. (eg - the aforementioned libertarians, given the choice between Rand Paul and Jack Conway who both think the center shouldn't be built, will go with Paul)
Don't these fucking idiots get it? They're are too scared to see that what they are doing is not just wrong morally but bad politics in a mid-term - ie, base - election year.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ejreed
August 19, 2010 4:35 PM
Some see this as a learning experience. yes, the glass is always half filled...
Mosque Debate Creates Teachable Moment
Jeffrey Brown gets the perspectives of columnists Eugene Robinson and Ross Douthat on the debate over whether an Islamic community center and mosque should be built near Ground Zero. http://www.newslook.com/videos/242707-mosque-debate-creates-teachable-moment?autoplay=true
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
cmpnwtr
August 19, 2010 4:48 PM
Feingold at his best on an issue like this.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Nutter
August 19, 2010 5:08 PM
I see....when there is nothing your office can actually do for or against the center, you get called a progressive hero.
However, when you back stabbed democrats on fiancial reform and pandered to people like the Chamber of Commerce with that betrayal, you are also a progressive hero.
What a cult-mindset.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
midnight rambler
August 19, 2010 5:34 PM in reply to Nutter
Eh? No one was calling Feingold a progressive hero during the finance reform BS. People have short memories is all. And certainly no one is perfect - despite his obnoxious punt on that issue, Feingold really is with us on 95% of the rest. Unlike just about any other Democrat (except maybe Franken and Sanders?).
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
August 19, 2010 5:44 PM
Aaand, once again, I find myself simultaneously applauding Feingold wile simultaneously shaking my head at the latest display of the Great Progressive Blog Commenter Feingold-Obama Double Standard.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
dfgs
August 19, 2010 9:56 PM
you can find many cheap and fashion stuff.
(NBA NFL NHL MLB j-e-r-s-e-y)
( lv Chanel Gucci Coach h-a-n-d-b-a-g)
(cha nel w-a-l-l-e-t)
(D&G s-u-n-g-l-a-s-s-e-s)
(ed har dy j-a-c-k-e-t)
(B-i-k-i-n-i Ed-hardy,polo)
Free S-h-i-p-p-i-n-g.
The price on our website are including everything.
welcome to ( http://www.pointingtrade.com/ )
YOU MUST NOT MISS IT!!!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
cha
August 20, 2010 8:18 AM
Dear customers, thank you for your support of our company.
Here, there's good news to tell you: The company recently
launched a number of new fashion items! ! Fashionable
and welcome everyone to come buy. If necessary, please
input:
http://www.newgoing.com/
T-shirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste) $14
New era cap $10
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $30
Handbags(Coach,ed hardy,lv,d&g) $35
Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $35
Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,Armaini)$14
Bikini (Ed hardy,polo) $18
http://www.newgoing.com
fdb
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
August 30, 2010 9:19 PM
i thank senator Feingold for his stand against bigotry and intolerance and for supporting liberty. Religious and speech freedom is what make our country the best in the world. what a shame to loose it and become another dictatorial country.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?