"This is an issue people are going to come to with strongly held convictions," Burton told reporters aboard Air Force One as Obama flew to an appearance in Seattle.

"He's happy our thriving democracy is continuing to produce vigorous debate."

On Monday, Reid became the highest profile Democrat to call for the mosque to be built someplace else. Current plans are to locate it two blocks from the site of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks.

On Friday, at a White House dinner marking the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Obama declared Muslims "have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. 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." A day later, however, he told reporters that was not an endorsement of the specifics of the mosque plan.

Burton told reporters that Obama "respects the right of anybody ... to disagree with his opinion on this." As to Reid's view, Burton said the senator is a "fiercely independent individual," and that's one of his strengths as a leader of his fellow Democrats.

A number of Republicans have portrayed Obama as out of touch with Americans' feelings on the issue, and some Democratic strategists have said they wish he hadn't spoken.

However, Burton said Obama did not consider the politics of his remarks, and felt he had to speak out in defense of key US constitutional values that include freedom of religion.
 

The project, planned near the "ground zero" site of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in New York, has emerged as an emotional issue 2-1/2 months before US congressional elections in which Republicans are trying to take back control of Congress from Obama's fellow Democrats.

Reid's in a tough re-election fight against Republican challenger Sharron Angle, who has called the mosque plan "an affront" to the families of those who lost loved ones in the attack.

"The First Amendment protects freedom of religion. Senator Reid respects that but thinks that the mosque should be built someplace else," said Reid spokesman Jim Manley.

The projects backers vowed on Monday to press ahead with their plans and denied a report in Israeli newspaper Haaretz that they will scrap the $100 million project, which has generated fierce debate.

Sharif El-Gamal, the owner of the building where the Cordoba House would be located, said a report that the center would be relocated further from Ground Zero, reported in Israeli newspaper Haaretz on Monday, was false.

"Everything is on track and we are moving forward with the location," said El-Gamal, chief executive of Soho Properties, which owns the building.

Haaretz reported that leaders agreed to abandon the site to prevent an escalation of anti-Muslim sentiment.

The proposal, announced this spring, has caused an uproar among many New Yorkers, who feel the location of the center is insensitive to the memory of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.
 

The proposed 13-story building, which has gotten the go-ahead from a New York City agency, would include meeting rooms, a prayer space, an auditorium and swimming pool.

The families of some victims of the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center have been vehemently opposed to the construction of a Muslim center so close to Ground Zero.

Close to 60 percent of Americans oppose the plan, although supporters say having the Islamic cultural center is a chance to promote understanding of the religion and begin healing nearly a decade after the attacks.

The site cleared a major political roadblock earlier this month, when the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission refused to grant it special designation. The move means the existing building can be torn down and replaced by the 13-story community center, complete with a fitness center, conference room and artist studios.

The plain building as envisioned will not feature either minaret or dome or any other motif typically associated with mosques. Still, some oppose it being built while the buildings set to replace the World Trade Center have not been completed and the memorial planned for the site not yet open.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been a strong proponent of the project, even as his approval ratings have taken a hit because of it. Some families of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks have also supported the project.