GOP suggests mosque will be election issue

WASHINGTON — 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 says 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 says he’s not commenting on “the wisdom” of building a mosque two blocks from ground zero.

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

The senators appeared on “Fox News Sunday.”