Actually, it was one of the few smart moves made by the White House, framing the issue in Constitutional terms. You can’t oppose the reality of the Constitutional guarantee of religious freedom and still claim to be a conservative. There are a few things that even Faux won’t attempt.

Dubya made a number of speeches saying nice things about Muslims, like his good friends the Saudi royal family, and Gerson probably wrote most of them, so he wasn’t going to stick his neck out.

Obama’s defense of the mosque has found some support on the right. Former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson said Obama’s comments were “ultimately the right thing to do,” adding, “Obama is correct that the way to marginalize radicalism is to respect the best traditions of Islam and protect the religious liberty of Muslim Americans.”

Even on Fox News this morning, the Fox & Friends weekend hosts all agreed that Obama is performing the job that’s required of him. “Obama has to stand up for religious freedom,” said co-host Alisyn Camerota. “He has to stand up for our Constitution,” co-host Dave Briggs offered, to which co-host Clayton Morris added, “That’s the job he gets…defend the Constitution.”

So… Ummm… What’s wrong with THAT picture??! I must have woken up in an alternate Universe this morning! Either that, or someone slipped some reality pill’s into the FOX coolaid! *shrug* 😉

Fox Hosts Agree With Obama’s Defense Of Mosque: ‘He Has To Stand Up For Our Constitution’

I am beginning to think he’s just Educated and Articulate! That’s far from Intelligent! And given he spent a lot of time in Illinois and Chicago… I would have thought he’d have more *street smarts* and some self-preservation!

Ther was a brief entry at TP about Gibbs, quoting HuffPo:

Fallout continues from White House spokesman Robert Gibbs’s attack on the “professional left” yesterday. Rep, Keith Ellison (D-MN), a leading member of the Progressive Caucus, slammed Gibbs remarks. “Why would he confuse legitimate critique with some sort of lack of loyalty,” Ellison said. “Isn’t this what the far right does? Punishes people who are not ideologically aligned with President Bush?”

I’d say Ellison was annoyed. 😉 😀

Rep. Ellison: ‘Gibbs Crossed The Line’

Progressive Democrats fired back at Robert Gibbs on Tuesday, following the White House press secretary’s sharp critique of what he called a “professional left” that is perpetually unsatisfied by President Obama.

“I hear these people saying he’s like George Bush. Those people ought to be drug tested,” Gibbs said in an interview with The Hill.

I’d call them the “Realist Left”! It seems there are still a few sane Dem’s. Too bad there are not enough to be effective!