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Obama Calls for Unity with Muslims, Defends Economic-Recovery Path

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Alex Wagner
Alex Wagner
White House Correspondent
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President Obama addressed the possible Koran burning and proposed mosque near ground zero during a wide- ranging news conference Friday at which he defended his economic policies while acknowledging the recovery "has been painfully slow."

The president also promoted the Mideast peace talks now underway, saying "I firmly believe it is in America's national security interests as well as in Israel's national security interests, as well as in the interests of the Palestinian people, to arrive at a peace deal."

On the eve of the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, the president appealed for religious tolerance in light of the possibility that a Florida pastor might burn copies of the Koran as a protest against radical Islam and the controversy over the New York City mosque.

Obama reminded the country that "We have millions of Muslim Americans -- our fellow citizens -- in this country. They are going to school with our kids. They are our neighbors. They are our friends. They are our co-workers."

He continued, "When we start acting as if their religion is somehow offensive, what are we saying to them? I've got Muslims who are fighting in Afghanistan in the uniform of the United States armed services. They're out there putting their lives on the line for us. And we've got to make sure that we are crystal clear -- for our sakes and their sakes -- they are Americans. And we honor their service. And part of honoring their service is making sure that they understand that we don't differentiate between 'them' and 'us.' It's just us."

To those who have questioned the wisdom of building an Islamic community center in lower Manhattan, near the site of the World Trade Center attacks, the president reiterated his belief that the organizers of the center should be allowed to proceed with construction.

One of our "inalienable rights is the right to practice religion freely," he said, adding, "What that means is that if you could build a church on the site, if you could build a synagogue on the site, if you could build a Hindu temple on the site, then you should be able to build a mosque on the site."

The president acknowledged that the world now is more unstable than before, and said that "there is always going to be the potential for a small group of people -- if they are willing to die -- to kill other people." It is, he said, simply "a reality of this world." But, Obama cautioned, "we are not at war against Islam."

Obama also discussed a group of economic proposals unveiled this week aimed at strengthening American infrastructure and giving tax credits to businesses.

He called for passage of the small business bill, currently stalled in Congress due to GOP resistance. He repeated his belief that the Bush tax cuts, set to expire on Jan. 1, should be extended permanently for the middle class, but not for wealthier Americans. On this last point, the president took sharp aim at Republicans, including Rep John Boehner (R-Ohio), who have called for an extension of all the cuts, including those for the highest earners.

Many of the points made by the president had been made before, in earlier statements and speeches, though he did announce the appointment of Austan Goolsbee as the new Chair of the President's Council of Economic Advisers.

Goolsbee's appointment was the only real "news" in the news conference -- and even that had leaked out previously -- but the headline was the passion Obama displayed in making it clear that he sides with those who believe that tolerance is one of America's most valuable weapons.
In making this point, Obama said that one of the things he most admired about his predecessor in office was that in the aftermath of 9/11, George W. Bush took pains to make it "crystal clear" that the United States was not at war with a religion, but with fanatics who had attempted to hijack that faith to further their own murderous designs. And it was this theme that Obama returned to himself whether he was discussing the proposed Islamic center near ground zero, the would-be Koran burner, or his obligations to U.S. troops fighting around the world, especially those in Muslim lands.
Obliquely addressing another lingering controversy -- a recent poll showing that some 17 percent of Americans identify Obama as a Muslim -- the president spoke about how he "relies heavily on my Christian faith."
In his 75-minute East Room session, his first such full-scale news conference in four months, Obama was asked 13 questions by nine different journalists. His answers tended to be long and discursive and covered a wide range of topics:
The Economy: The president began his news conference with a campaign-style opening statement in which he credited his administration's handling of the economic crisis, which prevented a "Depression," and chided Republican opponents in Congress for not getting with the program. Obama acknowledged, however, that voters go to the polls in November knowing that Democrats have controlled the White House and Congress for nearly two years. "Even after all the progress we've made, we're not there yet. And that means people are frustrated, people are angry," he said. "It's understandable that people are asking, 'What have you done?'"
Health Care: Obama was also asked about Democratic candidates who seem to be running away from his signature health care reform legislation passed earlier this year, and about a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services report showing that federal spending on health care is ticking upwards at a higher rate than anticipated. Obama acknowledged that Democrats running in tough districts were making strategic decisions about their campaigns that put some distance between them and the White House. As far as the costs, he said that was not unanticipated.
"As a consequence of us getting 30 million additional people health care, at the margins that's going to increase our costs," he said. "We knew that. We didn't think that we were going to cover 30 million people for free."
Taxes: The president emphasized his desire to keep the Bush-era income tax reductions in place -- except for the three percent of taxpayers who earn more than $200,000 a year ($250,000 for a family) -- saying that Republican reluctance to back his approach is a "perfect example" of how the two parties differ. Obama repeatedly characterized tax breaks for the wealthy as "tax cuts for millionaires."
Middle East Peace Talks: Asked about the seeming intractability of the Palestinian leadership to even accept the idea of Israel, the president was asked why he had any hopes that the latest round of talks would produce fruit. He replied that the cordiality and seriousness of purpose exhibited last week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas when they came to the White House "frankly exceeded lots of people's expectations." He noted that the two leaders had agreed to meet every two weeks -- a start, he suggested, if not a breakthrough.
"I remain hopeful," Obama added, "but this is going to be tough."
The Capital Culture: Asked succinctly by NBC White House correspondent Chuck Todd how he had changed Washington, Obama launched into his economic argument before ruefully engaging the question on its own terms. "If you are asking me why I haven't been able to put in place a better spirit of cooperation, I think that's fair," he said. "I'm as frustrated as anybody by it."
Filed Under: Barack Obama, Obama Administration, Culture, White House
Tagged: economy, ground zero mosque, health care, health care reform, koran burning, mideast, Mideast peace talks
More articles from Alex Wagner »

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121 Comments

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catalogsplus

Obama can align himself with whomever he wishes, but he does not speak for me. And clearly, he does not speak for millions of dissatisfied Americans... and growing.

September 11 2010 at 4:04 PM Report abuse +11 rate up rate down Reply
leonard

I want to know why American people have no right to say what they think, but the news channels go after Muslims for how they feel. America is falling apart because the Government will not listion to the american people. Obama will not give the American people a chance to express how they feel about this Mosk, That should not be built next ground Zero. Who is Obama afraid of? If this goes through, even though the American People say no, I think Joe Bidden should be President, because the American People will want to impeach Obama. Its about time the American people had a say so. The United States Government is suppose to work for us. Not us work for the Government. Its sad to see the way this country is heading. Wake up America! Before it too late!

September 11 2010 at 2:40 PM Report abuse +8 rate up rate down Reply
punnster

You might review how the Muslim regards infidels and realize that WE are the infidels.

September 11 2010 at 1:19 PM Report abuse +12 rate up rate down Reply
ronduck52

when small children fight they point their fingers at the each other and scream they started it. How do you stop ficghting if nobody grows out of this you started it? Ronald Regan Farewell Speech I've spoken of the shining city all my political life.. in my mind it was a tall proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace... and if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That's how I saw it, and see it still.

September 11 2010 at 1:06 AM Report abuse +7 rate up rate down Reply
haley6345

Our so called President should look back at the video of 9/11. He should look back at where the economy was 9 years ago. He should look back at how former Presidents represented the United States. At the lowest point with Bush, we were better than the best time with Obama. 3,000 Americans dead at the hands of Islam, and yet he supports the buidling of the mosque at Ground Zero. How quickly our leaders forget, I hope the American people do not.

September 10 2010 at 11:05 PM Report abuse +22 rate up rate down Reply
Rob & Kathy

Obama preaches "unity" with Muslims as he distances himself from the American people....

September 10 2010 at 10:55 PM Report abuse +21 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Rob & Kathy's comment
Hello Bobby

That was deep.

September 15 2010 at 1:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
B

It should not be unity with Muslims, it should be UNITY WITH AMERICANS!!!

September 10 2010 at 10:16 PM Report abuse +21 rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to B's comment
asttwnjrgfalcon

instant gov funding my watress ex wife in florida hated canadians because they never left a tip in canada tips are included on every bill and taxed lets do that here every food place pizza place etc how many millions of dollors would be raised if tips were included on bills she told me about 1 person who lied about thier tips claimed more because they needed wanted to buy a house they wanted they got the house this is back in 89 just a thought

September 10 2010 at 10:10 PM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
susancarne

Okay I have read most of the blogs and here goes. I was a flight attendant on United flight 23 JFK?LAX on 9/11. We had terrorist on board. We were # 2 for take off when the first plane hit the World Trade Center. When the captain announced why we were on a ground hold everyone BUT the four MUSLIMS in first class move to the right side of the plane and looked out the window. The three up in first class could not have cared less. They didn't even venture a peak in that direction. Forty five minutes later we went back to the gate. Ofter every one else got off the plane two men came out of hiding. Clearly they were terrorist as they ripped up the carpet, descended throught the wheel well and escaped on the tarmack as the FBI agents were coming down the jetway. Get a clue America! The government hushed the info on our flight and the news NEVER reported on it.

September 10 2010 at 9:51 PM Report abuse +24 rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to susancarne's comment
Donaldfy

I totally agree with all of you who believe that our President is the right man, at the right time, for the job. Obama has remained as cool as the other side of the pillow throughout all of the negativity, the vitriol, and the hate that has been spewed at him these past two years. No other President in the history of this country has had to endure the kind of mean-spirited attacks that Obama has. I applaud and stand with him completely.For those of you who refuse to go back to the days of fear and negativity, I say to you: let's stay on the right track and vote Democratic all the way in November!!!

September 10 2010 at 9:39 PM Report abuse -25 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Donaldfy's comment
LESLIE

In response to Donaldfy.....What about Bush? He was THE MOST criticized president yet! So, Obama is certainly not alone where criticism comes in. And where ARE Obama's accomplishments?...even BEFORE he became president? During his prior political career? We know he WAS involved in, may have even begun, Acorn that was illegally "fixing" votes. He did have a preacher and friend for 25 years who vehemently spoke out against America...but Obama claimed he never knew that his friend of 25 yrs held such negative viewpoints of American. That seemed very hard for us to believe. We can't keep overlooking all of those things! He admits to having been a muslim at times during his life. His father was a muslim. Muslims from around the world have vowed to kill all Americans and did indeed attack our very soil on 9/11. It just doesn't set well w/ some of us. He says we are not a Christian nation, yet our very Constitution is set under Christian values and written and signed by practicing Christian men who embraced every other religion to worship here with freedom. -------- Many Americans don't like Obama for fact there is not enough information about him. He keeps his college records sealed & private from the American public for example. Why? --- So many of us would love nothing more than to be able to believe he is The One, the great leader who will heal our country, bring us out of debt, end the wars.... but the reality just isn't there. -- Not yet anyway. There are just so many questions about Obama, and until he can proof himself, even as a patriot, yes many will have their doubts. - Just try to see both sides of the picture. Every other president of the U.S. has attended church on Sunday. It's a White House, an American, tradition. Has he done so yet? Honestly, I don't know.

September 10 2010 at 10:36 PM Report abuse +16 rate up rate down Reply

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