As the proposal to build a 13-story Islamic center two blocks from Ground Zero moves forward and controversy surrounding the plan grows, top New York Democrats are maintaining radio silence on the matter.

A spokesman for Senator Chuck Schumer told the Wall Street Journal two weeks ago that the senator is “not opposed” to building the mosque near Ground Zero (as a matter of law, decency, or both, it wasn’t clear). But Schumer himself was mum this afternoon following the Senate Democrats’ weekly luncheon. Asked by THE WEEKLY STANDARD to elaborate on his position (is the mosque good for interfaith relations? insensitive to 9/11 families?), Schumer didn’t reply and ducked into a senators-only elevator, staring blankly ahead while waiting for the elevator doors to close.