Following President Barack Obama’s controversial decision to support the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero in New York City, countless individuals have stepped forward and shared their position on this issue, including the co-founder of Hamas, Mahmoud al-Zahar, who said yesterday that Muslims “have to build” the mosque. 

However, New York’s senior U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who is famous for his candor before TV cameras on a range of issues, has remained silent and refused to take a public position. Politico reported this weekend that Schumer’s office wouldn’t even respond to emails seeking comment on President Obama’s remarks last Friday. 

Schumer’s silence is particularly notable considering the range of issues he has addressed during his famous Sunday press conferences. For example, in April 2010, the camera-friendly Senator held a press conference attacking Facebook and other social networking websites. And just last month, caffeinated malt liquor was in the Senator’s crosshairs as he held a press conference to announce he was asking the Federal Trade Commission to review the marketing practices of these beverage makers. In fact, Dow Jones Newswire recently reported “On recent Schumer Sundays, the senator has discussed legislation to prohibit sex offenders from working as dance instructors, carnival workers, clowns, and magicians, and announced his agreement with five major airlines to not be like Spirit Airlines and charge passengers for carry-on bags.”

“It’s a remarkable commentary on the most camera-friendly Senator that he’s more than happy to weigh-in on caffeinated malt beverages, but he won’t take a public position on the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Brian Walsh. “It’s time for Chuck Schumer to stand up and be counted – does he stand with President Obama in support of this mosque or does he stand with the countless 9/11 families who believe it’s location is inappropriate? Chuck Schumer’s continued silence on this issue is not the type of leadership New Yorkers deserve from their senior Senator.”