Top NY Democrat: Uh, Time to Move That Mosque

Hmmm. Considering how up until now New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was rather quiet about the Ground Zero mosque, this is a noteworthy development. He represents the area in question and can certainly make things difficult for any developers should he so choose.

A powerful state politician joined with Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday in suggesting that Islamic leaders should move a proposed Islamic center and mosque farther from ground zero, saying the organizers should be more sensitive to opponents.

The Cordoba Initiative has the right to build the center at a building two blocks from Ground Zero but should be open to compromise, said New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who represents the lower Manhattan district.

“In the spirit of living with others, they should be cognizant of the feelings of others and try to find a location that doesn’t engender the deep feelings the currently exist about this site,” Silver said.

Critics say the building is too close to where Islamic extremists destroyed the World Trade Center on 2001 and killed nearly 2,800 people. Supporters say religious freedom should be protected.

“I think the sponsors should take into very serious consideration the kind of turmoil that’s been created and look to compromise,” Silver said.

The Vacationer-in-Chief, meanwhile, will continue to vote present.

The White House on Tuesday said that Obama would have no further comment on the issue and that the administration will not get involved in talks about relocating the facility. Republicans have vowed to make Obama’s support of the project a campaign issue in this fall’s midterm elections.

One can't help but wonder if Silver's sudden change of heart may have been accelerated by this rather unseemly news.