One of the finest moments of Obama's presidency (Sargent)

[jefferson_dem]

One of the finest moments of Obama's presidency

A few quick thoughts about Obama's forceful speech yesterday expressing strong support for Cordoba House, which will go down as one of the finest moments of his presidency.

Obama didn't just stand up for the legal right of the group to build the Islamic center. He voiced powerful support for their moral right to do so as well, casting it as central to American identity. This is a critical point, and it goes to the the essence of why his speech was so commendable.

Many opponents of the project have been employing a clever little dodge. They say they don't question the group's legal right to build it under the Constitution. Rather, they say, they're merely criticizing the group's decision to do so, on the grounds that it's insensitive to 9/11 families and will undercut the project's goal of reconciliation. The group has the right to build the center, runs this argument, but they are wrong to exercise it. In response, Obama could have merely cast this dispute as a Constitutional issue, talked about how important it is to hew to that hallowed document, and moved on.

But Obama went much further than that. He asserted that we must "welcome" and "respect" those of other faiths, suggesting that the group behind the center deserves the same, and said flat out that anything less is un-American:

As a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America. And our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country and that they will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are. The writ of the Founders must endure.

Obama's core declaration here is as simple and clear a statement about what's really at stake in this fight as one could have asked for. Obama argued that an "unshakable" devotion to the notion that all faiths are "welcome" is "essential to who we are," thus casting this as a larger argument over the bedrock moral principles that are the foundation of American identity.

Obama issued this statement in the full knowledge that his opponents have been itching for him to wade into this battle. The right is engaged in a concerted effort to make it politically toxic to stand up for the rights of Muslims -- and to simultaneously insinuate that Obama is on "their" side, and not on ours. This dispute fits the bill perfectly. It's the stuff of Liz Cheney's dreams. Polls show overwhelming opposition to the project, and as Glenn Greenwald notes, there would have been no political downside to sidestepping this morass.

<SNIP>

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/obama_takes_on_the_demagogues.html

[msongs]

1. mosques get equality while gays/lesbians get "troop/family" surveys nt

[Pirate Smile]

2. "Republicans are reportedly gleeful"

Republicans are reportedly gleeful that Obama entered this dispute. Maybe they're right to be gleeful: Obama's entry will only further stoke passions and ensure that the battle continues, perhaps to his political detriment. But in another sense, this couldn't have come at a better time for Obama. His core supporters, frustrated, were badly in need of a display of presidential spine. They got one.

Ultimately, though, Obama's speech transcends the politics of the moment, and will go down as a defining and perhaps even a breakthrough performance. Obama recognized that this dispute is a seminal one that goes to the core of our running argument about pluralism and minority rights and to the core of who we are. He understood that the gravity of the moment required an equally large and momentous response. And he delivered.


Republicans are disgusting. Don't ever let your disappointment in President Obama or Democrats make you forget the difference between the two parties.

[Aristus]

7. The Republicans are gleeful about what? That people who were never going to

vote for President Obama or any other Democrat still won't do so now? How is this a win for them?

If President Obama has lost the vote of everyone who opposes freedom of religion in this country, it hurts him how? :shrug:

[customerserviceguy]

8. This will surely be offerred as evidence by the Pukes

that President Obama sides with Muslims when push comes to shove.

It's going to be pretty damned ugly two years from now...

[saltpoint]

3. Recommended.

The public may in fact show "overwhelming opposition" to the Islamic Center, which is why Bloomberg and Obama were entirely proper in defending the project.

There is also a dangerous anti-intellectualism laced through the racist objection to this Center. Any citizen could visit such a Center and would run the high risk of learning something about a very old and often amazing culture.

Mayors -- and Presidents -- serve all the people. In their addresses this past week, Bloomberg and Obama have handsomely met that criterion.

[Honeycombe8]

4. No, it won't. Get out of your shell and look at the world from the average person's viewpoint.

Only in your world will that be considered his finest moment.

For most people, they don't care, or they agree that the mosque center should be more sensitive to the murder victims, or at least divulge who funds the place, to put minds at ease.

As for Obama's statement, the matter has been settled already. It was approved to be built a month or so ago. So his statement was just political. It had no force, no effect. Except on people who liked the sentiment, I guess.

[saltpoint]

5. I must be one of those people who liked the sentiment.

Actually I loved the sentiment.

But I see it as an assertion of principle.

The details of the real estate transaction are definitely not what's being discussed over at FOX News. Nor is Newt Gingrich hung up on real estate details.

The debate, which is a fight picked by the crazy people on the far Right, is essentially racist in intent with a very healthy infusion of anti-intellectualism.

Bloomberg last week and Obama this week stood with the young people who one day next year or so will come to this Center for community and inspiration and company and purpose.

Any "average person" deserves the same, and deserve to have such a place and such an opportunity without the bullet fire from right-wing crazies.

[Enrique]

9. I think it's very important

just look at the poll numbers and the right-wing rhetoric. I think it's a terrible thing that people are being misled about what America stands for. Obama making this statement will educate some people, and put it on the record where our president stands on religious freedom.

[cilla4progress]

6. Maybe he's FINALLY turning the corner -

realizing that no matter WHAT he does, the right is going to criticize, attack, be "gleeful" about it in terms of twisting it for their perceived political gain. He has seemed naive..maybe he's finding his inner Barack!

[flpoljunkie]

10. PHOTOS: President Obama delivers remarks during the Iftar dinner in the WH State Dining Room

U.S. President Barack Obama is pictured under a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln as he delivers remarks during the Iftar dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington August 13, 2010. The Iftar dinner celebrates the evening breaking of fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

[watercolors]

11. Very proud of my President!!!

nt