N.Y. Congressman Peter King Accuses Obama Of 'Trying To Have It Both Ways' On Ground Zero Mosque

President Obama's clarification on Saturday of his endorsement of the Ground Zero mosque (the president stressed he had not been commenting on the "wisdom" of the project) elicted groans among the White House's liberal critics, many of whom had been delighted by Obama's initial remarks.

But on Sunday it was a leading Republican who took the president to task for lacking clarity. Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) accused Obama of "trying to have it both ways" on the project, leaving the impression that he supported the construction of an Islamic cultural center in Lower Manhattan only to hide behind unobjectionable arguments about first amendment rights.

"The president is a gifted speaker and tremendous communicator," King said, during an appearance on CNN's State of the Union. "Obviously his words were carefully chosen on Friday, and the inference or the clear impression that everybody came away with was that he was supporting the mosque at ground zero, and he can parse it later on and sort of back away, but the fact is that was clearly the impression that he wanted to leave."

"All I can think is perhaps there was political pressure from people in his own party that urged him to walk back away from that on Saturday," King added. "Let me just say if [Rep.] Jerry Nadler had given a speech on this issue, nobody would have doubted where he stood and he would not have taken it back the next day. If the president was going to get into this, he should have been much more clear, much more precise and you cannot change your position from day-to-day on an issue which does go to the constitution and also goes to extreme sensitivity. That's where I'm critical of the president...for not being clear."

A leading critic of the mosque, King's comments are similar to those being aired in more progressive circles -- albeit with different long-term objectives.

But both King's remarks and the broader discussion about the president's clarification has downplayed or ignored an important element of the administration's approach, White House backers say. In endorsing the constitutionality of the Cordoba House, Obama was arguing that the rest of the debate is moot. The question was not whether there was "wisdom" in building an Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero; but rather whether there was "wisdom" in a society guaranteeing religious freedom. If the answer to the latter is "yes" (and for Obama, it clearly is) than there is no point in arguing the former. The geo-political ramifications are similar if not the same.

As Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), a mosque defender, put it during the same segment on CNN's "State of the Union":

"We do not put the Bill of Rights, we do not put religious freedom, to a vote... I hope that people will understand that government has no role in this."

Comments

[nicothebaker]

12:03 PM on 08/17/2010

President Voted Present has struck again.

[CCverve]

11:40 AM on 08/17/2010

There really is no mystery or story...The President was quite clear in his pattern of thought. This is American and we are a nation based in freedom; including religous freedom.the Mulsim group has every right to put a house of worship and or community center whhere they please so long aas it complies with local ordinance.... end part one

Day two
The President states " will NOT comment as the the wisdom of the developers or the Mosque being located at its proposed site."

Simply meaning:

You may have the right to build your home at a busy intersection but it may not be a great idea. This is merely the Lee Atwater elements at it once again. Rep.Peter King is a master SNAKE in this deparatment. As a former Long Islander I understand his Massapequa mentality all to well.

[FeastOfPikes]

11:37 AM on 08/17/2010

The anti-intellectual tint to Pete King's argument is disturbing. Pete reports that the President is a "gifted speaker and tremendous communicator" whose "words were carefully chosen". President Obama is a leader who is willing to address difficult topics, and address them gracefully and effectively. Yet Pete has a problem with the President's exacting speech, speech which displays the exact clarity Pete disingenuously misses. Pete seems to prefer the "red meat" style of speech, that emotional demagoguery which short circuits thoughtful and reasoned dialogue.

Haven't we been down that dangerous road of incivility and pettiness which ends in anger and dismissive refusal to acknowledge one another's positions? The ending is not pretty.

[DNlightN1]

11:29 AM on 08/17/2010

The Left’s OVERDUE NEEDED POLITICAL STRATEGY:
As the right has successfully dismissed Obama’s remarks that contribute the economic woes to the Bush’s policy and what Obama inherited by saying “there he goes again blaming Bush,” the left must DO the same with the constant daily Obama bashing, which is relentless. This strategy will work. All left activist should and must begin to constantly repeat like a persistent drumbeat, “oh there they go again, blaming everything on Obama,” or “oh, there they go again, constantly criticizing Obama.”
The right has been too successful with their lock-step message. By saying the above quotes over and over again will eventually, over time, dismiss the nonsense, malicious, and untruthful agenda from the right. I urge you to pass this message to everyone, so that we can somewhat balance out the political arena.
Thank you,
DBR

[BillyClub]

11:29 AM on 08/17/2010

Query: Was Rep. Peter King in any of those slasher "Scream" movies. He looks so familiar!

[O Really]

10:05 AM on 08/17/2010

Whatever happened to "No Comment" as a comment?

[dantanna]

09:56 AM on 08/17/2010

i know we all hate guys like king who believes there is nothing more righteous and decent that himself and his party. but lets face it; obama wants to have it both ways in every major issue in today's world. the guy doesnt stand strong on anything. plus obama is also all talk and no action just like any politician.

[Arvid0823]

08:52 AM on 08/17/2010

That First Amendment is really awkward, isn't it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where are King/Newt/Tea Baggers et al on rebuilding St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Chuch, destroyed in the 9/11 attacks ?

Not enough of them registered in King's district ?

[manofmystique]

08:45 AM on 08/17/2010

These Republicans are so filled with hate they can not be reasonable or logical. They will try to create something out of nothing. There is absolutely nothing the President said that is double talk or inconsistent, NOTHING, nor did the President backstep. It is clear what he said and it is clear what he meant.
If you listen closely to Republicans compliants they are the double talkers and they are contradictory.
All of them agree that the President is right in pointing out Muslims constitutional right to build whatever they want on private owned propriety. Its when they say "but" that exposes their indifference and hypocrisy.
Peter King's critcism makes no sense. It is clear he wants to disagree with the President just to be disagreeable.
Whatever the President says, Republicans feel they must find fault with it. That is not just unprofessional, that's stupid politics.

[Tommygun264]

08:39 AM on 08/17/2010

This bigot is the best the people of his district can come up with? Pathetic.

[grf67]

08:24 AM on 08/17/2010

Why does NY keep peter "the mouth" king around. Certainly NY can do better.

[sandals]

07:38 AM on 08/17/2010

Has this guy looked in the mirror lately, he is just another Fear mongering Rethug. He is out exploiting this issue which is what he does best.

[Marrymeplease]

04:57 AM on 08/17/2010

He looks like a dam fool in that picture. Can't stand him.

[Jim Pasterczyk]

02:11 AM on 08/17/2010

No Peter, you just don't understand how the two positions are actually independent of each other, or you're pretending to not understand which is worse since it's dishonest.

[exaltedroots]

01:46 AM on 08/17/2010

I know HP wants this to be a flip flop but it isn't.