Frank Luntz a few minutes ago:

LUNTZ: Barack Obama, instead of talking about jobs, what's he talking about a mosque when the public says we need jobs, we can't afford the taxes, stop wasteful spending, and he gets into these other issues. That's why everyone is so angry. The only person who's not angry in America is you, Neil.

Why is Obama “talking about a mosque” instead of jobs? The New York Times first reported on the proposed Park51 Islamic center back in December, and Obama didn't mention it until last Friday, so it's not like he was in a rush to discuss the topic. He discussed the issue during an Iftar dinner held for Ramadan and in a brief statement to reporters the next day - he's not exactly talking about it 24/7.

The fact of the matter is Obama's response followed several months of right-wing attacks on the center, including comments by Fox News figures Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich. It followed dozens of segments on Fox News in which the networks' right-wing hosts and a panoply of guests railed against the center as a betrayal to the victims of 9/11. It followed the creation of ads by right-wing groups attacking the center. It followed attacks on the center by Republican officeholders and candidates.

Republican leaders and conservative media, of course, responded to Obama's comments not by complaining that he was taking the focus off jobs, but by condemning him for his remarks.

So there you have it. Republicans and right-wing media stir up a controversy. Obama responds to the controversy. Republicans and right-wing media attack the response. And there's Frank Luntz, saying that Obama is suffering politically for mentioning the GOP-created storyline - to the benefit of the GOP.

Nice work if you can get it.