Harold Ford: Sen. Reid Gave Candidates ‘Cover’ to Break with Obama Over Ground Zero Mosque
EmailThat’s what Ford told me on "GMA" this morning.
"Reid’s comments yesterday opened the door for all Senate candidates to be asked about this," he said.
"Reid has given his colleagues and those running for office cover in saying we support the right to build, but this may not be the place to build," Ford said.
Ford acknowledged that Obama could have spoke more "artfully" about the Islamic center controversy when he first weighed in with his opinion Friday night.
"If he believed that there is a right to build, but perhaps they should not build in that location, he probably should have just said that," the former Tennessee Democratic Congressman said. "I think the follow-up has created some confusion and probably will create some consternation in political circles within the [Democratic] party," Ford said.
The politics became "so intense" surrounding this controversy that Ford, who supports Obama’s position, said that the only compromise could be to move the center.
"It may be that the politics has gotten so intense that you may have to consider moving this just a few blocks away," Ford said. "And perhaps you can find democrat, republican, liberal, conservative support for this."
Republicans have pounced on Obama’s comments, but will this controversy remain an issue through November? Ford said while the topic is important, it is a "distraction" from jobs and the economy which are first in people’s minds.
"In politics…these kinds of distractions can define campaigns in the last eight weeks," he said.
Watch my interview here and then weigh-in below.
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Give me a break! President Obama’s comments were spot on in my opinion. All these wimpy Democrats like Reid and Ford who can’t stand up for what is right is pathetic. As a NYCer I support the center and want it to be where it is. The fact is that it is not at ground zero, it is blocks away! Why won’t you report on that?!?!
The fact that GMA, ABC, George Stephanopoulos keep making the First Amendment right that we have a separation of church and state a bad thing to support is disgusting. I don’t remember Pres. Bush or Republicans being hounded by the press this way after 9/11. Enough is enough with hounding President Obama and Democrats. What happened to journalistic integrity. Shame on you George, ABC, etc. for sensationalizing a story that should not be sensationalized.
Posted by: Sam | August 17, 2010, 11:18 am 11:18 am
The 1st Amendment to the constitution must be a lie. It reads one things yet we do not stand by it when it do not conform to the way we want it. If my religion is not what the white american want it to be it’s considered wrong or evil. I reflect back to how the Africans were treated when the white man brought them over to this country, we were not considered human. Everything in this world is based on the white man/woman being superior. Most white americans are prejudice some are trying hard to overcome but many will die with this hatred.
Posted by: Mojesola | August 17, 2010, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
This guy’s a bigot too-
“I cannot imagine that Muslims want a mosque on this particular site, because it will be turned into an arena for promoters of hatred, and a symbol of those who committed the crime. At the same time, there are no practicing Muslims in the district who need a place of worship, because it is indeed a commercial district. Is there a side that is committed to this mosque? The fact is that in the news reports there are names linked to this project that costs 100 million dollars!…”
-Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid
http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=2&id=21980
Posted by: dualdiagnosis | August 17, 2010, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
A few months of this horrible inhumane act, people all across this country sent monies into some building to honor those lives that were lost.
What happened to those funds? It was in the news–how much was coming in–and then more funds needed–
Sen Reid surely doesn’t believe Americans care about what he thinks about ground zero.
When Reid voted against the “WILL” of the people in regards to Health Care Reform–New financial reform–A BIGGER GOVT–and is now concerned about people’s feelings at ground zero!
In the past 2 years, when did Reid care about the feelings of the LIVING? AMERICANS–who needed someone to listen–but got PELOSI-REID-OBAMA (who will do what they think is best for America–what will November bring–or what will it show! in the mid-term election!
Posted by: Sharon | August 17, 2010, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
Do you really think president Obama was doing anything but cater to his audience at the time? He is still in the campaign mode and this was just another gathering of voters – saying what he knew they wanted him to say. Then the hailstorm hit and he back-tracked a bit, to the point neither side really knows what he said – he lost both sides through his comments. They indeed have the right but that isn’t the point in this location.
Posted by: RG Bud, Nebraska | August 17, 2010, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
If Obama is so damn popular… then WHY are his party nominees running away from him in droves… Oh right… Those stubborn Poll numbers… Got it.
Posted by: CBA | August 17, 2010, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
I thought we were fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan to give those people the freedoms that we here in the United States enjoy. I wonder what the people in those muslim countries think about the controversy about a community center to be built in a depressed area of New York City, not in view of Ground Zero, being condemmend because it will contain a muslim prayer center. What a terrible affront to our Constitution. Not!
Posted by: findlayway | August 18, 2010, 12:12 am 12:12 am
I think the Muslims should be able to build a mosque.
However, if they are REALLY concerned about being accepted here in America, it would behoove them to make sure their mosque is not anywhere near the 9/11 horific attack.I would call that being sensitive to the country that was attacked by their infidels–actually it was an act of war!Why didn’t our government see that?????
Why would they want to promote hard feelings about their religion by planning to build so close to that site?
There must be other property not so nearby that they could purchase for the mmosque. Basically,to do that would show that they are sensitive to those of us who lost someone that morning just by being at the wrong place at the wwrong time.It is called: think about how you are perceived by people who don’t even know you!
Posted by: Coral Elandt | August 18, 2010, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
There is no question they have a right to build it. That does not mean it is right to build there and turn it into a slap in the face of the 9/11 families and the entire nation.
Only a moron would think that the radical Islamic groups around the world will not look at this as a major victory in the land of their enemy.
Posted by: Mike_C | August 19, 2010, 11:37 pm 11:37 pm