US Senate candidate Gary Berntsen is both sticking up for, and lending a measure of credibility to, the call by GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rick Lazio, for AG Andrew Cuomo to investigate the mosque slated for construction not far from Ground Zero, saying it poses a “real and considerable threat” to New Yorkers and the nation as a whole.

Berntsen send an e-mail last Friday to Port Authority PBA President Paul Nunziato, who accused Lazio of “exploiting” the 9/11 attacks for political purposes, saying he was “surprised”, “disappointed” and “troubled” by that claim.

“As you may know, at the time of the attacks of September 11, 2001, I was serving with the Central Intelligence Agency, which asked me to help lead the invasion of Afghanistan and pursue both the Taliban and Al Qaeda,” Berntsen wrote in his e-mail (which appears in full after the jump).

“During my time in-country, I also commanded CIA forces during the seizure of Kabul and was the architect of America’s efforts against Al Qaeda in Tora Bora. In addition, I served as Chief of Hezbollah Operations in CIA’s Counterterrorism Center.”

“Based on that experience, I am certain that Islamic militants will do their best to target the proposed World Trade Center mosque and Islamic Center for takeover by radicals intent on imposing their murderous and hateful ideology mere footsteps away from sacred ground in Manhattan.

(Snip).

“While this process could play out anywhere in the nation, why create the extraordinary temptation of providing such an opportunity a stone’s throw from the site of the global Islamist movement’s greatest operational and propaganda victory?”

Berntsen, as you’ll recall, rode a wave of Tea Party support to secure the GOP designation to take on Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer at the convention.

He still has to fight Jay Townsend, who has the Conservative line, in a primary, and Townsend has been trying to make an issue of the mosque, too, calling on Schumer to take a public position on the subject.

Getting support from Berntsen on this issue is a validation of sorts for Lazio from the standard-bearer of the exact group of voters whose favor he’s trying to woo as he faces a likely GOP primary challenge from another Tea Party favorite, Carl Paladino, and a battle for the Conservative line with Erie County Conservative Chairman Ralph Lorigo.

But, as has been exhaustively discussed by various political observers, while this wedge issue might serve Lazio well in the short term, it probably won’t help him at all in the general election against Cuomo, who has come out in support of the mosque, making the Freedom of Religion argument.

UPDATE: A reader notes that the latest (and I believe only) Q poll on the mosque issue finds NYC voters oppose the mosque, 52 – 31, which would seem to indicate that the issue might play well in a general election.

However, I still contend this isn’t the first thing that will be on voters’ minds when they go to their respective polling sites in November. It’s more likely that jobs and the economy will top that list, although if there’s another terrorist attack between now and then, that could change significantly.

Here’s the full text of Berntsen’s e-mail:

July 10, 2010

Paul Nunziato
President, Port Authority Benevolent Association, Inc.
611 Palisade Ave.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632-1805
Via E-Mail: pnunziato@papba.org and Facsimile: 201.871.2343

Dear Mr. Nunziato:

I first want to thank you and your membership for your dedicated service to the community. The men and women of the Port Authority serve our region with distinction – selflessly devoting their lives to the health, welfare and safety of New Yorkers.

Nevertheless, I was surprised and disappointed to learn of your recent harsh, and I believe, unfair criticism of my fellow Republican and gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio for requesting an investigation of the funding sources for the proposed “Cordoba House” – the Islamic center and mosque planned in close proximity to the World Trade Center site. I was troubled in particular by your statement that candidate Lazio was resorting to “scare tactics” in questioning the appropriateness of the project.

There are many reasons for legitimate opposition to a mosque near Ground Zero, but first and foremost is the real and considerable threat it presents to the security of New York City, our State and our Nation – an assertion I make based on my intimate familiarity with the mindset and tactics of the Islamic fundamentalists whose central aim is to harm innocent Americans.

As you may know, at the time of the attacks of September 11, 2001, I was serving with the Central Intelligence Agency, which asked me to help lead the invasion of Afghanistan and pursue both the Taliban and Al Qaeda. During my time in-country, I also commanded CIA forces during the seizure of Kabul and was the architect of America’s efforts against Al Qaeda in Tora Bora. In addition, I served as Chief of Hezbollah Operations in CIA’s Counterterrorism Center.

Based on that experience, I am certain that Islamic militants will do their best to target the proposed World Trade Center mosque and Islamic Center for takeover by radicals intent on imposing their murderous and hateful ideology mere footsteps away from sacred ground in Manhattan. Specifically, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, churches, temples and, of course, mosques, as religious entities, can petition and provide financial support (i.e. salary) for religious clergy to immigrate to our nation. The leadership at the facility may attempt to take advantage of this visa process for religious workers to bring in mullahs who could later promote dangerous ideology and/or support militant activity – unnecessarily placing New Yorkers at great risk. While this process could play out anywhere in the nation, why create the extraordinary temptation of providing such an opportunity a stone’s throw from the site of the global Islamist movement’s greatest operational and propaganda victory?

Additionally, the reconstructed World Trade Center site will continue to be of interest as a target for terrorist attack by militants and jihadists across the globe – not just because of the significance of the tragic losses America suffered there, but also because of its enduring stature as a symbol of freedom and free enterprise. Given the continuing security risk to New York City, it would be foolhardy to countenance even the remote possibility that such an entity could serve as a permanent observation point supporting planning for future attacks.

We simply cannot afford to allow sentiment to obscure a bitter truth: Jihadists attack shrines and national symbols in an effort to impose their will. Understanding these unpleasant realities and acting in our own best interest must be non-negotiable when it comes to providing for a safer and more secure New York.

The Ground Zero mosque issue has understandably touched on raw emotions and unfortunately has also brought out a great deal of disinformation and distortion. Getting this decision right is more important than politics or party labels because this is a debate not, as has been suggested, about religious discrimination, but rather about the safety of New Yorkers and Americans.

As I believe I bring a unique background and sound understanding of the many issues at play, I would like to meet with you to discuss my concerns in greater detail. I appreciate the opportunity to present my position and look forward to hearing from you, by phone or e-mail as you prefer, at your earliest convenience.

Warmest regards,

Gary Berntsen

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