(CNN) - A substantial and growing chunk of the country believes that President Obama, a self-described Christian, is Muslim, while only about a third of Americans are able to correctly identify his religion, according to a survey released Thursday.
Nearly one in five Americans believe Obama is a Muslim, up from around one in 10 Americans who said he was Muslim last year, according to the survey, conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
While most of those who think Obama is Muslim are Republicans, the number of independents who believe he is Muslim has expanded significantly, from 10 percent last year to 18 percent now.
The number of Americans who express uncertainly about the president's religion, meanwhile, is much larger and has also grown, including among Obama's political base. For instance, fewer than half of Democrats and African-Americans now say that Obama is Christian.
New York (CNNMoney.com) – Starting next month, lawmakers will argue until they are hoarse over what to do about various spending bills and the Dec. 31 expiration of the Bush tax cuts.
But make no mistake: The fevered debates will take place in a vacuum.
That's because lawmakers have yet to seriously address how to rein in the country's long-term debt. And that broader debate will involve significant policy changes: A likely overhaul of the federal tax code and a reduction in spending across the board.
Policymakers have been mostly mum on the issue. By December, however, they will have a harder time ignoring the matter, since they will have in hand reports from the Bipartisan Policy Center's Debt Reduction Task Force and President Obama's fiscal reform commission.
Editor's Note: In the final 100 days before Election Day, CNN has been profiling one race at random each day from among the nation's top 100 House races, which we've dubbed "The CNN 100." Read the full list here. Today's featured district is:
State: Virginia 9th - Rep. Rick Boucher (D) is seeking a 15th term.
Date of Primary: June 8
Location: Southwestern Virginia
Days until Election Day: 75
Democrat Rick Boucher, who has represented Virginia's 9th District for 28 years, is seeking his 15th term in office. And his prospects may depend on whether he can overcome the unpopularity of President Obama in his district.
New York (CNN) - New York Gov. David Paterson says he'd like to discuss plans for an Islamic community center and mosque near ground zero in Manhattan with its developers to see whether a compromise site can be found.
"If people put their heads together, maybe we could find a site that's away from the site now but still serves the ... area. That would be a noble gesture to those who live in the area who suffered after the attack on this country, and at the same time would probably in many ways change a lot of people's minds about Islam, which is really a peaceful religion practiced by peace-loving people," Paterson told CNN's "Larry King Live" on Wednesday.
Paterson had been scheduled to meet with the center's builders Monday, but the meeting was postponed because developer Sharif el-Gamal was traveling.
"We're hoping to get together, but only if they want to get together," Paterson said. "There's no attempt at pressure or coercion here. I'd just like to talk about what might be a magic moment in our history."
The CNN Washington Bureau’s morning speed read of the top stories making news from around the country and the world.
WASHINGTON/POLITICAL
For the latest political news: www.CNNPolitics.com
CNN: Paterson proposes finding compromise site for Islamic center
New York Gov. David Paterson says he'd like to discuss plans for an Islamic community center and mosque near ground zero in Manhattan with its developers to see whether a compromise site can be found. Paterson had been scheduled to meet with the center's builders Monday, but the meeting was postponed because developer Sharif el-Gamal was traveling.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Recent Comments