Steve C. Wilson / AP Photo
They’re not all craven on this issue: Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah became the highest profile Republican to defend plans for the Islamic center to be built near ground zero. “We know there are Muslims killed on 9/11, too, and we know it’s a great religion … As far as their right to build that mosque, they have that right,” he told a local Fox station Wednesday. “I just think what’s made this country great is we have religious freedom.” He also emphasized that the center and mosque are not actually at ground zero but are a few blocks away. “There’s a huge, I think, lack of support throughout the country for Islam to build that mosque there, but that should not make a difference if they decide to do it,” he said. “I’d be the first to stand up for their rights.” He drew on the experiences of his own religion, the Mormon church; fellow Mormons Mitt Romney and Glenn Beck have been silent on the issue.