Beth Fouhy: Contentious mosque plan leaves Democrats squirming

AS VULNERABLE congressional Democrats weigh how to respond to President Barack Obama's statements on Muslims' right to build a mosque near the site of the 11 Spetember attacks, those in New York and closest to the controversy are staying silent or scrambling away.

Democrats control both of the state's Senate seats and 27 of its 29 Congressional districts, but analysts believe as many as eight House Democrats in the state may be headed to defeat this year.

Republicans, hoping to ease Democrats' grip on the state, insist the economy remains the major campaign issue, but say the mosque issue could also help move voters their way.

From Long Island to more rural areas of northern New York state, House Democrats have been opposing the construction of a $100 million Islamic centre two blocks from the World Trade Centre site.

Developers of the planned Islamic centre known as Park51 have plans for a 13-storey structure featuring a pool, gym and 500-seat auditorium, as well as a mosque and 9/11 memorial. It's a project of the Cordoba Initiative, a New York-based non-profit group that promotes greater understanding between Islam and the West.

Mr Obama told a largely Islamic crowd over Ramadan dinner last week he believed Muslims have a right to build the mosque and practice their religion there. A day later, he said he wasn't passing judgment on the wisdom of building an Islamic centre at that location.

The latest Democrat to break with the president is John Hall, a two-term incumbent expected to face a strong challenge from Republican Nan Hayworth in the 19th district north of New York City. He said freedom of religion was essential to democracy, but that he hoped the project would be constructed elsewhere. He joins three other House Democrats believed to be vulnerable in November elections who have announced their opposition to the project.

Justin Phillips, an assistant professor at Columbia University who studies state elections, said the rejection of the mosque by vulnerable Democrats wasn't surprising.

"The Democrats who are going to lose in 2010 are from moderate to conservative districts, so these are the Democrats who are trying to be very careful in their handling of this issue," Phillips said. "They don't want to take an unpopular position on anything right now."