Do The Math YOURSELF!

An article in USA Today about Bush courting the Catholic vote ended with this bit of statistical foolishness:

"The latest USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll shows Kerry leading Bush among Catholics, 50%-46%. The margin of error is +/-4 percentage points, and when that is factored in, they are in a virtual tie."

Uh, no. When the margin of error is factored in, that means the actual vote could be a virtual tie OR Kerry could have a commanding 8 point lead. If the poll was 50%-50%, would they say that if the margin of error is factored in it means Bush is ahead by 4 points? Duh, people.

By the way, Bush was speaking at a Knights of Columbus rally, and as a practicing Catholic I'm embarrassed by that far right group and as a gay man I'm embarrassed by the very silly costumes they are wearing. Check out the photo.