Even with all of the trash emphasized on this poll, the gap is still only 10 points in the "generic ballot". That actually is less than recent Ap-ipsos, Newsweak and cBS-NYT polls. It strikes me as in line with a trend that matches Rasmussen, Hotline and Gallup that the gap in the "generic ballot" is shrinking.

At the same time, the "generic" is a waste of time, but since the Senate looks as though it will be 51 Rs (if Talent's lead holds), and as Jay Cost has said, the House doesn't flip unless the Senate does, this actually may be a good thing.

How do you know the report is based on the "generic poll" and what CNN relies heavily on?

In the text, CNN only refers to Democrats and Republicans in the generic sense, citing no specific race. The choice of words in their conclusions as cited, shows their predilection.

Polls on questions other than "Do you plan to vote for Smith or Jones?" are little more than infotainment. So much depends on the phrasing of questions and the way answers are interpreted.

For example, if I were asked if I were satisfied with the way things are going in the country, I'd say "No." If asked if I were satisfied with progress in Iraq, it would be "No," again.

Does that mean I favor Democrats' plans for either? Am I going to vote for Democrats? Not on your life! But that is how many seem to interpret those answers by others.

When polls don't disclose the specific questions and data, and the various "internals" such as sample breakdown and weighting, they shouldn't be taken seriously by anyone, because they aren't. Honest pollsters aren't afraid of disclosure.

Well, except for response rates - none of them will tell those. The dramatic drop in response rates over the last quarter-century could help explain some puzzling poll results.

"[] CNN relies heavily on whether Americans are happy with how things are going. Dissatisfaction with the present condition often indicates that the voters would like stronger action, not a different direction;"

DJ, you bring up a very important point that I have thught about for a while. Once again I think the MSM and liberals are mis-reading the American electorate. They assume that because a majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the way Bush is handling the war in Iraq it means they want to get out and that they will vote for Democrats, or if they are Republcians it means they will be inclined to sit at home instead of voting. You can see they think this in their cut and run platform.

But what if the opposite is true (and I beleive it is)? What if Americans (especially Republicans) are dissatisfied with Bush because we haven't been agressinve ENOUGH in Iraq. Are they going to suddenly vote for the cut and run Democrats? No! Are they going to sit at home and let the cut and run Democrats win back the Congress and then implement their cut and run strategy? No!!!

There are 2 polls that I read about that were very interesting:

1 - The Dems's may be ahead in the generic poll, but when the question is actually about the candidates that are running, The Republican candidate polls much better (and in most cases leads the Democrat)

2 - I saw an internal poll about a month ago that showed the GOP base was highly energized and ready to vote in November. I'm sure some moonbat will just say that's an echo chamber poll, but internal polls are ALWAYS more accurate than general ones (that's why parties pay a LOT of money for them).

I'm not saying the GOP won't possibly lose a seat or 2 but there's no way that they are going to lose either chamber. I'm cofindent of that (if for no other reason than it goes against the MSM conventional wisdom, which is always wrong). And Dick Morris says Dem's will win back control. He's always wrong too (but a heck of a nice guy).