Mosque plan stirs opposition in Silver State

More than half of Nevada voters oppose allowing a mosque to be built near the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, according to a new poll that tracks with the position U.S. Sen. Harry Reid took when he was criticized for breaking with the president on the divisive issue.

Sharron Angle, Reid's GOP Senate opponent, had challenged the Democratic incumbent to take a stand after saying she believed the Islamic Center project should be moved elsewhere.

Among likely Nevada voters, 59 percent oppose the mosque project compared with 26 percent who support it, according to the poll for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and 8NewsNow. Another 15 percent are undecided, said the survey by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research.

A large number of Republicans oppose the mosque, 81 percent, compared with 7 percent who support it. Another 12 percent are undecided, according to the poll.

The issue is more divisive among Democrats, reflecting national debate on the matter. Forty-three percent support the mosque while 36 percent are opposed and 21 percent are undecided.

Two-thirds, 63 percent, of nonpartisan voters oppose the mosque project compared with 25 percent support. Another 12 percent are undecided.

Two weeks ago, President Barack Obama surprised Democrats by weighing in on the topic when he said Muslims had a First Amendment right to build the Islamic Center two blocks from ground zero.

Seeing an opportunity, Angle agreed Muslims had the right to build, but she said they should move the mosque elsewhere out of respect for Americans' sensitivity. Hours later, Reid took the same position as Angle, prompting criticism from liberals but none from the White House.

Reid, the Senate majority leader, is locked in a close race with Angle. Taking a moderate position turned out to work in his favor, as well as Angle's, according to the poll results.

The telephone poll of 625 registered likely Nevada voters was taken Monday through Wednesday. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Contact Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.