[Da Bilge Troll]

Excellent article. I would, however, take issue with the article's title. I think the media "understands" perfectly well -- they simply are not trying to predict the future. They are trying to affect the future.

[BfloGuy]

Most Americans, it seems, don't understand basic statistics well enough to analyze the usefulness of a particular poll. As the article points out, polls of registered voters (or just adults) are absolutely useless in determining voter sentiment.

The media count on that -- though I don't know that it really makes any difference. Just gives 'em stuff to talk about.