Obama hedges on endorsement of Ground Zero mosque

Well, that's a definite maybe -- a regular push-me-pull-you of politics.

Before:

After skirting the controversy for weeks, President Barack Obama is weighing in forcefully on the mosque near ground zero, saying a nation built on religious freedom must allow it. ...

"That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances," he said. "This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable."

After:

"I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making the decision to put a mosque there," Obama said. "I was commenting very specifically on the right people have that dates back to our founding. That's what our country is about."

back - We've known each other a long time, so I'll speak frankly: I always welcome your comments, but please leave off the superlatives/explicatives. Their use just inflames passions. I want people to try to get something positive out of my column -- but let them raise their own ire if they want to. We take the high road.