GOP senator suggests mosque will be election issue

Washington (AP)

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Site of mosque near ground zero
Pedestrians walk past the 19th century building on Park Place in Manhattan where Muslims plan to build a mosque and cultural center Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, in New York. President Barack Obama says Muslims have the right to build a mosque near ground zero in New York, but he's not saying whether he thinks it's a good idea to do so.
AP Photo/Louis Lanzano

A Republican senator is suggesting there could be political fallout from President Barack Obama's remarks about building a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn said Obama is "disconnected from mainstream America" and that voters this fall will "render their verdict." Cornyn leads the GOP's Senate campaign committee.

Obama has said that religious freedom allows the mosque to be built. But he said he's not commenting on "the wisdom" of building a mosque two blocks from ground zero.

Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island said the economy will remain the dominant election issue.

The senators appeared on "Fox News Sunday."

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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