Obama mosque comments reflect nuanced controversy

But neither poll questions voters on the direct substance of Mr Obama’s remarks: the right of the Islamic community to build the mosque. That right is enshrined in the US constitution.

It’s an important nuance in the debate, and one that simple “yes or no” polls often fail to capture. Americans can both support the right to build a mosque at the same time that they oppose the building of this particular mosque so close to a delicate site.

It’s not necessarily inconsistent to be bothered by the presence of a mosque near the site of a devastating attack by jihadists, but to still defend the universal right of the faithful to practise their religion without restrictions or interference from the government.

A recent poll by Fox News, external draws out that distinction. It asked respondents first if they believed that the Ground Zero mosque was appropriate. An overwhelming 64% replied that it was not.

The follow-up question asked if the Muslim group had the right to build the mosque, to which a similarly large proportion – 61% – responded that yes, they do.

Clearly there is an overlap between Americans who support the right to build the mosque but maintain a belief that it’s a poor decision to do so.

That’s the same ground Mr Obama straddled with his comments last weekend.

But whether the public heard the nuance in the communicator-in-chief’s remarks – or whether his comments will be lost in the frenzy of cable chatter over their supposed political toxicity – may not be clear until November.