NY-09

It's Baaaack: 'Ground Zero Mosque' Becomes Campaign Issue In Race For Weiner's Seat

Jillian Rayfield | August 12, 2011, 6:00AM

Bob Turner and David Weprin

If you thought the controversy over New York City's Cordoba House Islamic Center was long over, Republican NY-09 candidate Bob Turner wants you to think again.

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Mitch Daniels

Arab American Group Praises Mitch Daniels As 'The Adult In The Room'

Benjy Sarlin | April 19, 2011, 12:12PM

Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-IN)

While some GOP presidential contenders ratchet up their anti-Muslim rhetoric to toxic levels, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniel (R) is set to accept a prestigious award next month from the Arab American Institute.

Maya Berry, executive director of AAI, told TPM that the award was incidental to his status as a possible presidential candidate and celebrates his broad record of public service and his Syrian heritage, which is not commonly known. Nonetheless, she noted that Daniels' award comes at a time of increasingly mainstream anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment in conservative circles.

"It's a moment to honor our own and Mitch Daniels goes back to the founding of the institute as one of our earliest supporters," she said. "We have a community that comes with some unfortunate political baggage in terms of bigots...it's just nice when folks are proud of their ethnic background and don't allow that kind of politics of exclusion to get in the way."

Berry noted Daniel's emphasis on fixing the economy and the group's website praises his call for a "truce" on social issues, a quote that has invited heated attacks from religious conservatives.

"I think he's been the adult in the room," Berry said.

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NC-02

Anderson Cooper Takes On Anti-Mosque GOP Candidate (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | September 27, 2010, 1:06PM

Anderson Cooper and Congressional candidate Renee Ellmers (R-NC)

On Friday night, Anderson Cooper took on Renee Ellmers, a Republican House candidate in North Carolina who has now based her campaign on opposing the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque," the Muslim community center project all the way up north in New York City. And the interview sure was a sight to behold.

Ellmers is running against incumbent Democrat Bob Etheridge. Her ad declared: "After the Muslims conquered Jerusalem, and Cordoba, and Constantinople, they built victory mosques. And now, they want to build a mosque by Ground Zero. Where does Bob Etheridge stand? He won't say, won't speak out, won't take a stand." Ellmers herself then cut in: "The terrorists haven't won. And we should tell them in plain English, no, there will never be a mosque at Ground Zero."

For one thing, Cooper asked Ellmers about how her ad uses the terms "Muslim" and "terrorists" interchangeably. Ellmers actually tried to wiggle out of that: "Well, to be honest, I think that you could make that assumption, but, you know, that's -- that's not giving me the benefit of the doubt."

Cooper replied: "I mean, that's -- your words are very carefully selected."

"The words are carefully selected, but that is certainly not what I'm intending to say. I am not intending to say that all Muslims are terrorists," Ellmers replied. "Basically, what I am saying, sir, is that there were terrorists who attacked us. They were Islamic jihadists. And, as a result of that, we have seen the devastation on 9/11."

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'Ground Zero Mosque'

Obama On U.S. Muslims: 'We Don't Differentiate Between Them And Us -- It's Just Us'

Jillian Rayfield | September 10, 2010, 12:55PM

President Obama concluded his press conference today with a statement on the importance of protecting the rights of American Muslims. "We don't differentiate between them and us," he said. "It's just us. And that is a principle that I think is going to be very important for us to sustain."

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'Ground Zero Mosque'

Boehner: Koran Burning 'Unwise' (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | September 8, 2010, 11:11AM

In an interview with ABC News this morning, House Minority Leader John Boehner condemned a Florida pastor planning a September 11 Koran burning ceremony, calling the ritual "unwise." But he also stopped short of imploring him to cancel the event -- and compared the book-burning to the creation of an Islamic cultural center.

"To Pastor Jones and those who want to build the [so-called Ground Zero] Mosque," Boehner said (drawing an equivalence between Koran burning and the Cordoba House Project in lower Manhattan) "Just because you have a right to do something in America, does not mean it's the right thing to do. We're a nation of religious freedom -- we're also a nation of tolerance. I think in the name of tolerance, people ought to really think about the kind of actions they're taking."

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Cordoba House

Poll: NYC Opposes Muslim Center -- But Acknowledges Right To Build

Eric Kleefeld | September 3, 2010, 2:15PM

Protesters against a proposed community center and mosque near ground zero called Cordoba House.

The New York Times polled residents of New York City, asking for people's views on the Park 51 Muslim community center set to be built two blocks from Ground Zero. And from the poll, a picture emerges of a city that opposes the building of the center -- but simultaneously acknowledges by a wide margin the right of Muslims to build it.

"Do you favor or oppose the building of a mosque and Islamic community center two blocks from Ground Zero?" Here the answer was 35% favor to 50% oppose. Interestingly, the poll continued to show a pattern that has emerged before, of opposition actually being lower in Manhattan itself, at only 41%.

"Do you think people have the right to build a mosque and Islamic community center near Ground Zero, or don't they have that right?" The answer becomes 62% that they have that right, to 28% who say that Muslims do not have that right. (A more general question came immediately before, asking about any house of worship near Ground Zero -- the answer was 72%-21%.)

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'Ground Zero Mosque'

Grand Old Islamophobes? Polls Show Widespread Republican Concerns Over Muslims -- And Obama

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 1, 2010, 8:48AM

In a series of respected national polls this summer, great swaths of Republicans -- often encompassing the majority -- have shown themselves to be deeply worried about the prospect of Muslims gaining power in the U.S. and of President Obama's perceived connections to the faith. This isn't a fringy extreme or small but vocal minority. It's huge portions of the party that just recently was defending its use of the filibuster by pointing out all the Democrats who blocked Civil Rights legislation in the 1960s and pooh-poohed the idea of racial insensitivity among tea partiers. And now, lots and lots of Republicans across the nation are on the leading edge of an anti-Muslim paranoia that some U.S. allies abroad believe will harm American relations with the moderate Muslim world.

Meet the new Republican establishment: worried about Muslims, and worried even more that Obama might be one of them.

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Cordoba House

Republican Orrin Hatch Stands Up For Cordoba House (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | August 31, 2010, 1:26PM

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

A conservative Republican Senator has now come out strongly against efforts to block the construction of the Cordoba House Muslim community center near Ground Zero in New York: Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT).

In an interview with the local Fox affiliate in Salt Lake City, Hatch stated his support and past work for religious freedom. "So, if the Muslims own that property, that private property, and they want to build a mosque there, they should have the right to do so," said Hatch. He also discussed his past experiences dealing with discrimination against the construction of Mormon temples -- and when his late friend Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) helped him to resolve just such a dispute in Boston.

Hatch acknowledged that there have been objections to the construction of the center, on the grounds of sensitivity and whether it should be built, but ultimately he came down on the side of the right to build it without interference. He also added: "And there's a huge, I think, lack of support throughout the country for Islam to build that mosque there, but that should not make a difference if they decide to do it. I'd be the first to stand up for their rights."

It should be noted that there has been much discussion about a possible right-wing challenge against Hatch for his party's nomination in 2012, just as his co-Senator Bob Bennett lost renomination at the state convention this year. If that were to come to pass, don't be surprised to see these comments used against him.

(via Think Progress)

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Jon Stewart

Bloomberg: Cordoba House Controversy Is All About The Elections (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | August 27, 2010, 10:22AM

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg continued his defense of the Cordoba House Islamic center near Ground Zero on The Daily Show last night, telling Jon Stewart that "there's nothing new" about the planned project. "The difference is we're in election season," Bloomberg said, "and this whole issue I think will go away after the next election."

He added: "This is plain and simple people trying to stir up things to get publicity, and trying to polarize people so that they can get some votes."

Stewart was glad that the Mayor was defending the Cordoba House, because "I would like to build a synagogue -- reform -- in St. Patrick's cathedral."

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Cordoba House

Poll: Less Than A Quarter Of Americans Have 'Favorable' View Of Islam

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 26, 2010, 10:47AM

The Islamic Circle of North America-NY hosts a rally.

Proponents of the Cordoba House project planned for Lower Manhattan have said that one of the project's goals is to build a mutual understanding between American Islam and the non-Muslim American majority. A new national poll shows there's a long way to go before that vision is a reality.

The survey of 1,082 adults conducted this week by CBS found just 24% of respondents had a "favorable" view of Islam. Nearly 40% said they had an "unfavorable" view of the second-largest religion on the planet, while 37% said they don't have an opinion on the faith.

Not surprisingly, those numbers translated into very little support for the Cordoba House project. Just 22% of all respondents said it was "appropriate" for the Muslim cultural center to be built near Ground Zero, while 71% said it was "inappropriate."

Among the plurality who hold an unfavorable opinion of Islam, support for the project was almost nonexistent. Nine percent said it was appropriate for Cordoba House to be built, while 88% said it was inappropriate. Those holding a favorable view of Islam split on Cordoba -- 50% said building it was appropriate, while 42% said it was inappropriate.

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Cordoba House

Fmr. Bush Adviser Ken Adelman: Bush Should Publicly Support Cordoba House (AUDIO)

Jillian Rayfield | August 25, 2010, 4:00PM

Ken Adelman

Former Bush and Reagan adviser Ken Adelman said today that he fully supports the planned construction of the Cordoba House Islamic center near Ground Zero, and is "a little disappointed" that former President George W. Bush hasn't come out in support of it as well.

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'Ground Zero Mosque'

Bloomberg At Iftar Dinner: 'Islam Did Not Attack The World Trade Center' (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | August 25, 2010, 3:28PM

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg

New York City Mayor Bloomberg re-upped his support last night for the right of Muslims to build the Cordoba House Islamic center near Ground Zero. Speaking to Muslims celebrating the end of Ramadan with an Iftar dinner, Bloomberg reiterated that "we are not at war with Islam. We are at war with Al Qaeda."

He added that the debate over the proposed site must be "civil and respectful."

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Cordoba House

Chris Matthews Calls Out Rick Lazio For Exploiting Cordoba House For Campaign (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | August 24, 2010, 6:56PM

New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio has been focusing a lot of his campaign's attention on opposing the proposed Cordoba House Islamic center near Ground Zero, and today on Hardball, Chris Matthews took him to task for playing politics with the controversy. Matthews asked Lazio how he responds to those who say the focus "has a lot to do with the fact that you're down 30 points in what looks to be your upcoming general election fight with Andrew Cuomo for governor."

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Cordoba House

Karl Rove: Cordoba House Imam's Role Under Bush No Big Deal, But Obama Plays Politics (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | August 24, 2010, 4:45PM

more at fox.com August 18, 2010

Former top George W. Bush operatives are really distancing themselves from the Bush administration's relationship with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf. Karl Rove said last night on Fox News that he wasn't aware until "recently" that Rauf was sent abroad by Bush's State Department to talk about the Islamic faith.

Laura Ingraham, filling in for Bill O'Reilly, asked about Rauf "working" for the Bush administration.

"I'm not sure working is the right title," Rove said, trying to frame Rauf's role as part of "bureaucratic" State Department decisions that are determined "apolitically." Rove's evidence included the fact as a young Republican he was named to a youth delegation during Jimmy Carter's administration.

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Cordoba House

Santorum: Rauf 'Is A Jihadist, He's Just Not A Violent Jihadist' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | August 24, 2010, 12:19PM

Feisal Abdul Rauf and fmr. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) is pronouncing that Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the man behind the Cordoba House community center project, is a jihadist -- just a not a violent one.

Appearing last night on Greta Van Susteren's Fox News show, Santorum pointed to Rauf's past comments about American foreign policy, when he said that the United States had more innocent Muslim blood on its hands than al-Qaeda had innocent non-Muslim blood on their hands.

"My thinking was all along if he made the statements that he made, he probably had a lot more that are going to be found out. This man is not a moderate Muslim. This is someone who believes the United States has blood on their hands, that the United States is responsible for this. He is a jihadist, he's just not a violent jihadist. That does not make him a moderate."

So there you have it: Being against American foreign policy means a person is a jihadist -- that is, an enemy of America -- even if they're not violent about it. Question about this non-violent jihad stuff: How does one non-violently commit an act of terrorism?

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Cordoba House

Ron On Rand: My Son Is Not Islamophobic (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 24, 2010, 12:17PM

Ron Paul

After ostensibly dissing his son -- and politicians like him who oppose the Cordoba House project in Manhattan -- over the weekend, Ron Paul took to the airwaves to defend Rand Paul's view on the project while also making it clear he disagrees with it.

To recap: Rand, like many politicians running in tight races this year, is opposed to building the Muslim community center, and has further called on American Muslims to donate the money that would be spent on building the community center to 9/11 victims' families as a show of "reconcilliation." In a blog post over the weekend, Ron Paul ripped into views like that, claiming that any opposition to the project was "all about hate and Islamaphobia."

In a pair of CNN interviews last night and this morning, Ron stuck to his guns about the community center project -- opposition is nothing but a political game being ginned up by bigots. He even went so far as to say he and Rand are on "different sides" of the issue. But he said Rand's opposition to the project did not suggest he's bigoted toward Muslims.

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Cordoba House

The Dems Who Have Spoken For Cordoba House

Eric Kleefeld | August 24, 2010, 8:45AM

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)

With all the attention we've given to politicians who have attacked the Muslim community center set to be built near Ground Zero in New York, let's take a different look at the story: A list of the Democratic politicians who have stood up in support of it.

Opposition to the project has been brewing for weeks, and the issue came to a head a week and a half ago, when President Obama voiced his support for the right of organizers to build it.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Hundreds Protest Islamic Center In Downtown Manhattan]

Since, some Dems have come out and said that the project should be moved -- most notably Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who nevertheless affirmed the right of Muslims to build it. So let's look at the other side of the equation: Dems who have spoken out on the project's behalf, both before and after Obama's remarks.

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Cordoba House

Ron Paul On Cordoba House Split With Son: Rand Is His Own Man

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 23, 2010, 3:16PM

Ron Paul

Ron Paul says he's not his son's keeper when it comes to the roiling debate over an Islamic cultural center planned for lower Manhattan. After it became clear today that the legendary Texas libertarian and his Kentucky GOP Senate nominee son, Rand, differ over the proposed Cordoba House project -- Ron rips critics for treading on the Constitution, while Rand takes the politically popular I'm-against-it-at-Ground-Zero view -- I asked Ron's congressional spokesperson to weigh in on the divide.

"Rand Paul is his own man," Rachel Mills said in an email this afternoon. It's a terse but to-the-point response that suggests an acknowledgment from the Ron Paul camp that, when it comes to the rights of Muslims to build where they please, the elder and junior Paul do not see eye-to-eye.

To recap: Rand Paul says that the Cordoba House shouldn't be built, and that the money that was to be used to build it should be donated to a 9/11 victims' fund instead as a sign of unity. Ron Paul calls rhetoric opposing the project "all about hate and Islamaphobia."

Cordoba House

Rand vs. Ron? Cordoba House Drives Wedge Through The Paul Family

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 23, 2010, 12:45PM

Rand and Ron Paul.

Are Ron and Rand Paul on opposite sides of the Cordoba House debate? Rand, running for Senate in Kentucky, has taken the standard GOP line on the project -- namely, it's up to New York officials to decide the project's fate, but personally he's against it. And now, in an extremely strongly-worded statement posted to his movement's website Friday, father Ron ripped into opponents of the Cordoba House project, saying that the rhetoric taking on the plan is clearly "all about hate and Islamaphobia."

Neither Paul immediately responded to a request for comment on their difference in language. But the Cordoba House appears to be an issue where Rand is very publicly breaking from this father's dyed-in-the-wool libertarianism, which often leaves the elder Paul standing alone against the GOP establishment.

Last week, Rand's campaign told TPMDC that that he was among the many politicians on both sides of the aisle who think that building an Islamic cultural center in the old Burlington Coat Factory two blocks from the site of the 9/11 attacks on New York is bad idea. Rand even offered his own suggestion about what American Muslims should do with the millions they'd need to spend building the project -- namely, not use it to build the Cordoba House.

"While this is a local matter that should be decided by the people of New York, Dr. Paul does not support a mosque being built two blocks from Ground Zero," Paul spokesperson Gary Howard told me. "In Dr. Paul's opinion, the Muslim community would better serve the healing process by making a donation to the memorial fund for the victims of September 11th."

The elder Dr. Paul has harsh words for views like that.

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'Ground Zero Mosque'

Federally Funded Religious Freedom Commission Packed With Anti-'Mosque' Members

Brian Beutler | August 23, 2010, 11:28AM

Protesters against a proposed community center and mosque near ground zero called Cordoba House.

As we reported last week, one of the fiercest and most influential critics of the Cordoba House project, Dr. Richard Land, splits his time between his leadership role in the Southern Baptist Convention and as a member of the federally funded US Commission for International Religious Freedom. Mother Jones dug in a bit deeper to find that other members of the commission, in their capacities outside the USCIRF, have opposed the Islamic cultural center as well.

One John Boehner-appointed commissioner, Nina Shea, took to the National Review's website (in a post since removed and archived here) to promote the idea, common in right-wing circles, that the "mosque" could become a "tool for Islamists." She wrote:

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WI-SEN

WI-SEN GOPer Ron Johnson: Construction Workers Should Boycott Cordoba House

Eric Kleefeld | August 23, 2010, 9:56AM

Republican candidate for Senate Ron Johnson (WI).

Ron Johnson, a businessman and the likely Republican nominee against Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), is voicing his opposition to the proposed Muslim community center near Ground Zero in New York. Furthermore, he's calling for construction workers to boycott the project if the city and state won't revisit the matter and block it.

As the Racine Journal Times reported on Friday:

"Those folks are trying to poke a stick in our eye," Johnson said. "I just hope the zoning officials and the city, the state revisit that, rezone that piece of property."

The Republican candidate for U.S. Senate continued: "If they don't do it I hope the construction workers in New York show their outrage and say we are not going to do that."

So this is what it takes for Republicans to support organized labor...

The TPM Poll Average currently gives Johnson a lead of 48.8%-46.9% over Feingold. Previously, Feingold came out strongly against the center's opponents, calling the opposition "one of the worst things I've ever seen done in politics."

Cordoba House

Karen Hughes Opposes Cordoba House, Neglects To Mention Her Relationship With Its Imam

Christina Bellantoni | August 23, 2010, 9:48AM

Karen Hughes

We'd been wondering when Bush administration officials were going to step forward to remind everyone who is worked in a tizzy over the proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero in New York City that the project's booster did international religious outreach for the United States.

The answer came -- sort of -- this weekend, when Karen Hughes penned a Washington Post op-ed saying that organizers should "move the mosque."

Hughes sounds many of the same notes we've heard frequently from opponents over the last few weeks. But what struck us is that Hughes failed to mention her own work with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf as he was dispatched around the globe to discuss the Islamic faith in America on behalf of the Bush administration.

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'Ground Zero Mosque'

Anti-Mosque Movement Draws Support From Controversial European Politician

Brian Beutler | August 20, 2010, 6:00PM

A mosque in Detroit (protesters decrying a planned Islamic community center and mosque near ground zero in New York inset).

Pamela Geller, the woman who arguably touched off the weeks-long fight over the Cordoba House, is organizing a September 11 protest to stop the project, and she's invited some of America's most high-profile conservatives to attend. But she's also enlisting the help of one of the most controversial anti-Muslim politicians in Europe.

Joining Geller and Andrew Breitbart, among others, will be Dutch politician Geert Wilders, the controversial anti-Muslim leader of the right wing Freedom Party in the Netherlands.

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Rick Lazio

NYC Firefighters, Police Sergeants Protest Lazio's Use Of 9/11 Imagery (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | August 20, 2010, 12:07PM

NY gov. candidate Rick Lazio (R)

New York gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio (R) is getting a lot of flack for his video that uses 9/11 footage to oppose the proposed Cordoba House Islamic center a few blocks from Ground Zero.

Most recently, the New York City firefighters union sent Lazio a letter expressing "surprise and disappointment" that Lazio would use the imagery for an attack ad against Democrat Andrew Cuomo, and urging him to remove the video.

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Howard Dean

Olbermann Pushes Dean On Cordoba House Stance (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | August 20, 2010, 10:54AM

Former DNC Chairman Howard Dean

Former Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean appeared last night on Countdown, to defend his remarks that the Muslim community center project near Ground Zero in New York should be moved to a different location. During the interview, Dean called for a dialogue between 9/11 families and the center's organizers -- and insisted that he was not associating himself in any way with the outspoken opponents on the right such as Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin.

Keith Olbermann mentioned during his introduction of Dean that Arshad Hasan, the head of the Dean-founded liberal political group Democracy For America, has criticized Democrats -- without directly mentioning Dean -- who have sought to compromise with an "implacable opposition." And Olbermann put tough questions to Dean, such as asking what compromise he can imagine people like Gingrich and Palin would accept.

"Yes, I don't think the Sarah Palins and Newt Gingriches have any interest. They're clearly exploiting this for whatever political gain they think they can get out of it," said Dean. "But I think there are some people of good will, perhaps, including some of the families of the victims that we might actually sit down around a table with. This is a tough issue I think some of my own folks on my end of the spectrum of the party are demonizing some fairly decent people who are opposed to this. And, again, in no way am I defending, you know, the right wing of the Republican Party.

"But there are 65 percent of the people in this country are not right-wing bigots. Some of them really have deep emotional feelings about this. And I think we at least ought to respectfully hear them and sit down with Muslim-Americans and with some of the people that object to this, and have a thoughtful, reasonable dialogue and see what comes out of it. And in order for it to be a fair, thoughtful and reasonable dialogue, you have to be willing to move."

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Cordoba House

Freedom Of Churches And Mosques Protected In...Arizona

Eric Kleefeld | August 20, 2010, 8:44AM

Habibulllah Saleem in Phoenix, Arizona.

It turns out that there is a state in the union that has enacted a broad standard of religious equality that would fully allow for the development of religious community structures such as the Cordoba House in downtown New York City, without regard to the religion of the organizers. This center of enlightenment and civil libertarianism is none other than...Arizona!

That's right. The same state that passed a tough new immigration law this year, and flirted with one requiring presidential candidates to provide their birth certificates, also passed a law this year that would expand religious freedom in the matter of building houses of worship. And its conservative proponents fully acknowledge that it applies equally to Muslims as it does to Christians.

As the Arizona Republic reported:

State lawmakers strengthened churches' rights this year, passing a law that prohibits cities and towns from using zoning codes or land-use rules to restrict where religious facilities such as churches, mosques or synagogues can locate.

Planned mosques in New York, California and Tennessee have spurred community opposition recently. But any mosque planned for Arizona could build where it pleased, as long as it complied with any local zoning and building requirements that would apply to other development.

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Cordoba House

Feingold Rips Cordoba House Opposition

Eric Kleefeld | August 19, 2010, 2:15PM

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

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."

'Ground Zero Mosque'

Jack Conway Echoes Rand Paul With Cordoba House Stance

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 19, 2010, 2:05PM

Kentucky Democratic Senate nominee Jack Conway

Kentucky Democrats waiting to hear their Senate nominee's take on the controversial Cordoba House project in lower Manhattan finally got their answer today -- and it sounds a lot like the response from GOP nominee Rand Paul.

"I think we have to keep the families of the victims of 9/11 foremost in our minds and because of that I would prefer to see it located elsewhere," Conway told the Knox County, KY Times-Tribune. Conway also said the project is "an issue for New York primarily."

Earlier this week, this is what Paul's campaign told me about their man's take on Cordoba House:

"While this is a local matter that should be decided by the people of New York, Dr. Paul does not support a mosque being built two blocks from Ground Zero," Paul spokesperson Gary Howard said. "In Dr. Paul's opinion, the Muslim community would better serve the healing process by making a donation to the memorial fund for the victims of September 11th."

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Cordoba House

Grassroots Or Astroturf? Signs At 'Mega Mosque' Protest Were Pre-Printed (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | August 19, 2010, 2:00PM

A protest against the 'Ground Zero Mosque' in New York.

Conservatives are having fun with Speaker Nancy Pelosi's suggestion that there is some sort of conspiracy uniting the opponents of the proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero, but a closer look at some of the early protests suggests at least some coordination.

Check out the video embedded below, footage from a June protest that you've probably seen many times on television in recent days.

Organizers of the protest boasted 10,000 people and say their energy triggered an increase in coverage. What struck us about the footage were the pre-printed signs condemning what opponents call a "mega mosque." Many had the Web address for Pamela Geller's anti-Muslim group Stop Islamization of America printed right on them.

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John Hall

NY Dem Rep. John Hall: Build Cordoba House Somewhere Else

Jillian Rayfield | August 19, 2010, 12:14PM

Rep. John Hall (D-NY)

Rep. John Hall (D-NY) said in a statement yesterday that he opposes building the proposed Cordoba House Muslim community center so close to Ground Zero: "I think honoring those killed on Sept. 11 and showing sensitivity to their families, it would be best if the center were built at a different location."

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Charlie Rangel

Rangel: I'm 'Proud' Cordoba House Developers Are 'Sticking To Their Guns'

Jillian Rayfield | August 19, 2010, 11:43AM

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY)

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) came out in support of the proposed Cordoba House Islamic community center two blocks from Ground Zero yesterday, saying that he's "kind of proud that they're sticking to their guns and saying this is where they would want to worship."

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Cordoba House

Franken: Attacks On Cordoba House 'One Of The Most Disgraceful Things That I've Heard'

Eric Kleefeld | August 19, 2010, 11:28AM

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) is slamming conservative opposition to the Muslim community center project near Ground Zero in New York City -- the city where he formerly resided for many years -- calling the attacks against it "one of the most disgraceful things that I've heard."

Franken made the remarks during an appearance in Springfield, Illinois, the State Journal-Register reports, at an event for Democratic county chairmen. Franken also alluded to the unfamiliarity with New York City that many people actually have in regard to this story. "I don't know how many of you have been to New York, but if a building is two blocks away from anything, you can't see it," said Franken.

Franken got in a joke, as well: "It's a community center. They're going to have a gym. They're going to have point guards. Muslim point guards."

On a more serious note, he also added: "They (Republicans) do this every two years. They try to find a wedge issue, and they try to work it."

'Ground Zero Mosque'

Influential Donor May Bolt From GOP Over Anti-Muslim Hysteria

Brian Beutler | August 19, 2010, 11:24AM

A woman holds a sign in protest of the Landmarks Preservation Commission's decision to clear the way for a mosque near Ground Zero.

An influential Muslim GOP donor is at the end of her tether, and tells TPM she may eventually have to leave the Republican party over its opposition to the Cordoba House project and other anti-Muslim positions.

"I don't know if I'll be a Republican a year from now," says Seeme Hasan, who chairs the Hasan Family Foundation in Colorado, and has close ties to the Republican party leadership. Hasan's frustration with the GOP was evident, and not just over their public opposition to the construction of a Muslim cultural center in lower Manhattan. "Every time a Muslim person becomes famous, they are viciously attacked," Hasan said.

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'Ground Zero Mosque'

Time Poll: 61% Of Americans Oppose Cordoba House

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 19, 2010, 10:32AM

Protesters against a proposed community center and mosque near ground zero called Cordoba House.

A new poll from Time magazine out this morning suggests it's not a great time to be a Muslim in America if you're trying to build a community center in lower Manhattan or hoping to get nominated to the Supreme Court or run for President.

Simply put, it's not a great time for American Muslims to try and exercise those Constitutionally-granted rights of theirs.

The poll finds that Americans overwhelmingly oppose the planned Muslim community center near Ground Zero in lower Manhattan -- and overwhelmingly support the notion that building it is an insult to the the families of the victims of 9/11. Sixty-one percent of respondents to the poll said that the Cordoba House shouldn't be built at the site of that old Burlington Coat Factory, while "more than 70%" concurred "with the premise that proceeding with the plan would be an insult to the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center."

So it seems property rights are out for American Muslims. Just 55% of respondents said they'd be happy with a mosque being built two blocks from their own home (by contrast: more than 70% said they'd be OK with a Catholic church or Jewish synagogue built in the same location.)

It seems that, according to many Americans, public service for Muslims isn't a great career move, either.

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Howard Dean

Howard Dean Says Cordoba House Should Be Built Somewhere Else (AUDIO)

Eric Kleefeld | August 18, 2010, 6:36PM

Former DNC Chairman Howard Dean

Another very prominent Democrat now says the planned Cordoba House Muslim community center in New York City should be moved away from the vicinity of Ground Zero: Former Democratic National Committee chairman and ex-presidential candidate Howard Dean.

"I've gotta believe there has to be a compromise here," Dean said during a radio interview. "This isn't about the right of Muslims to have a worship center, or Jews or Christians or anybody else to have a place to worship, or any place around Ground Zero. This is something we ought to be able to work out with people of good faith. And we have to understand that it is a real affront to people who've lost their lives -- including Muslims. That site doesn't belong to any particular religion, it belongs to all Americans and all faiths. So I think a good, reasonable compromise could be worked out, without violating the principle that people ought to be able to worship as they see fit."

Dean said that after having met so many objections, the center should be moved somewhere else, but that this should be done with the cooperation of its organizers. He also said: "I think it's great to have mosques in American cities. There's a growing number of American Muslims. I think most of those Muslims are moderate. I hope that they'll have an influence on Islam throughout the world, because Islam is really back in the 12th century in some of these countries like Iran and Afghanistan where they're stoning people to death. And that can be fixed. And the way it's fixed is not by pushing Muslims away, it's by embracing them and have them become just like every other American -- Americans who happen to be Muslims."

Perhaps Dean is right, and the Muslim center could be moved to South Carolina, Oklahoma, Arizona, North Dakota, or New Mexico. Or it could go to California or Texas, or somewhere else in New York. Or perhaps it could go to South Dakota, or Oregon, or Washington or Michigan -- or even to Washington, D.C. Yeah.

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'Ground Zero Mosque'

Influential Mosque Opponent Promotes Religious Freedom Abroad For U.S. Government

Brian Beutler | August 18, 2010, 5:07PM

A protest against the 'Ground Zero Mosque' and Dr. Richard Land, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, inset.

As president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Dr. Richard Land is an influential opponent of the Cordoba House project in New York. But when he's not speaking on behalf of one of the most powerful religious bodies in the country, Land has a second -- some would say ironic -- ecumenical role: member of the federally created United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

In his role as a commissioner, Land's job is to press for a U.S. foreign policy that advances religious freedoms around the world. Reached by phone today, Land maintained that there is no contradiction between his service on the Commission and his efforts to see the Cordoba House Islamic cultural center project moved farther north in Manhattan.

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