Koran-Burning a 'Bonanza for al-Qaeda': Obama

President fears 'stunt' will endanger troops, lead to violence
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 9, 2010 7:16 AM CDT
Updated Sep 9, 2010 7:59 AM CDT

President Obama weighed in on the Koran-burning controversy for the first time today, calling it "a recruitment bonanza for al-Qaeda." His comments came during an interview with George Stephanopoulos airing today on Good Morning America. Highlights:

  • His message to Pastor Terry Jones: "This stunt that he is talking about pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women in uniform who are in Iraq, who are in Afghanistan. You could have serious violence in places like Pakistan or Afghanistan. This could increase the recruitment of individuals who'd be willing to blow themselves up in American cities, or European cities."

  • Why he doesn't want to extend tax cuts for the wealthy: "If Warren Buffett gets a tax break, that's not gonna change his spending patterns. If those families that I was talking to out here in Cleveland or across the country get a tax break, that may mean a new computer for their kid. It may mean that they're able to make their mortgage payments. It may mean that they can buy a new coat for winter. And that's where our money should be going."
  • Why Michelle will help him on the campaign trail: "She is far more popular than me. And rightly so."
  • Whether he'll vote for Rahm as Chicago mayor: "I think he would be an excellent mayor. My expectation is, he'd make a decision after these midterm elections. He knows that we've got a lot of work to do. But I think he'd be a terrific mayor."
ABC has the complete transcript. (More church burns Korans stories.)

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