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Sen. Reid Opposes Ground Zero Mosque As Republicans Make It A Campaign Issue

By Howard M. Friedman

Republicans are making a campaign issue out of President Obama's statement (see prior posting) that Muslims have the right to build a mosque and community center near New York's Ground Zero. The Los Angeles Times reports yesterday that Senate majority leader, Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, responded to demands of his Republican opponent, Sharron Angle, that he take a stand.  Yesterday he issued a statement through an aide reading:

The 1st Amendment protects freedom of religion. Sen. Reid respects that, but thinks that the mosque should be built someplace else.

By issuing the statement as an e-mail from an aide, Reid avoided giving Republicans video of his openly disagreeing with President Obama who has raised millions of dollars in campaign funds for Reid. Meanwhile, Fox News reports yesterday that Republicans are now targeting Republican Sen. Charles Schumer for not speaking out on the issue.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on August 17, 2010 (boomark / email).