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August 15, 2010
Charlie Crist Backs Obama On Controversial Islamic Center
Crist backs Obama on controversial Islamic center
Panama City, Florida
CNN
In a boost for President Obama on a red-hot controversy, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist told CNN Saturday that he fully supports Obama's decision to back construction of an Islamic center and mosque near New York's ground zero.
"I think he's right - yeah," Crist, who was elected governor as a Republican but is now running for Senate as an independent candidate, told CNN. "We are a country in my view that stands for freedom of religion. You know, respect for others. I know there are sensitivities and I understand that, but I think Mayor Bloomberg is right and I think the President is right."
Crist offered his support in a brief interview as he waited for Obama to arrive at a U.S. Coast Guard station for a presidential visit aimed at boosting tourism in the Gulf region, which has suffered economically as a result of the BP oil spill – the worst in American history.
But the President's message on the Gulf is now at risk of being overshadowed by the controversy over his abrupt decision to enter the fray over a plan to build an Islamic center and mosque near New York's ground zero. Obama weighed in on the topic at a Friday evening event he hosted at the White House to celebrate the breaking of the fast for the Muslim holiday Ramadan.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs in recent weeks had repeatedly said the White House would not comment on the mosque because it was local issue. Administration officials said the President weighed in now because New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has now come out in favor of the project.
But Republicans like Rep. Peter King, R-New York, immediately blasted the President's decision.
"It is insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community to build a mosque in the shadow of Ground Zero," said King. "While the Muslim community has the right to build the mosque they are abusing that right by needlessly offending so many people who have suffered so much. The right and moral thing for President Obama to have done was to urge Muslim leaders to respect the families of those who died and move their mosque away from Ground Zero. Unfortunately the President caved in to political correctness."
But Crist told CNN he completely disagrees with that view.
"This is a place where you're supposed to be able to practice your religion without the government telling you that you can't," said Crist.
Crist has been increasingly alienated from the Republican Party, and his latest comments will only fuel speculation that he may decide to caucus with Senate Democrats in 2011 if he's elected as an independent in November.
Wild Thing's comment........
Good grief, Crist is a total idiot among other things I would call him. I hope everyone in Florida learns about what Crist has said, backing Obama up on his comment. sheesh I can't stand this guy, he has bugged me for a long time. Really sleezy!!!
Posted by Wild Thing at August 15, 2010 07:49 AM
Comments
Keep talking Charlie. You're digging the hole deeper. This guy Crist is a real slimeball. Sure hope he goes down in flames November.
Posted by: TomR, armed in Texas at August 15, 2010 11:03 AM
And he was running as a Republican ????
This mosk is very unpopular across the country and this will piss off more of his supporters. This is a stupid subject to bring up in a campaign.
Posted by: Mark at August 15, 2010 11:35 AM
Desparate candidate seeking any scrap of support, he can muster.
Will say anything if it gets him elected.
Worked for Obama.
Posted by: Sean at August 15, 2010 11:41 AM
What a steaming, runny pile this guy is. No shame whatsoever.
Posted by: Jim at August 15, 2010 04:25 PM
Crist changed from a Republican to an Independent a month of so ago. But he is more involved with the Democrats then anything else, including his asking Obama to help him. But Obama did not return his call.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 16, 2010 12:10 AM
