Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on Wednesday criticized President Obama’s speech at a mosque, citing it as an example of Obama’s tendency to pit Americans “against each other.”
The President on Wednesday visited a mosque in Maryland, where he told Muslim-Americans that they are an important part of American society and condemned “inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslim-Americans that has no place in our country.”
During a campaign stop in New Hampshire, Rubio tore into Obama and his speech, according to audio captured by opposition research firm American Bridge and highlighted by the Huffington Post.
“I’m tired of being divided against each other for political reasons like this president’s done,” Rubio said. “Always pitting people against each other. Always! Look at today: He gave a speech at a mosque. Oh, you know, basically implying that America is discriminating against Muslims.”
“Of course there’s discrimination in America, of every kind. But the bigger issue is radical Islam. And by the way, radical Islam poses a threat to Muslims themselves. They argue that. They’ll tell you that,” the Florida senator continued. “But again, it’s this constant pitting people against each other that — I can’t stand that. It’s hurting our country badly.”
