Romney: Don't Let Ahmadinejad Near Ground Zero

Amid reports that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad plans to visit "Ground Zero'' in New York during his visit to the United Nations next week, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is rolling up the welcome mat. "Ahmadinejad's shockingly audacious request should be met with a vehement no,'' Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, said today. "It's inconceivable that any consideration would be given to the idea of entertaining the leader of a state sponsor of terror at Ground Zero. "This would deeply offend the sensibilities of Americans from all corners of our nation,'' Romney said. "Instead of entertaining Ahmadinejad, we should be indicting him."The United States has accused Iran of supporting insurgents inside Iraq, and has classified Iran's national guard as a terrorist organization. The New York Sun quotes New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly as saying the city is discussions about escorting the Iranian president to Ground Zero during his visit to New York next week. The Iranian mission to the U.N. made the request to the New York City Police Department and the Secret Service, who will jointly oversee security during the president's two-day visit to New York next week. President Bush will address the U.N. on Tuesday.