[rjsimmon]

Wehby, a Portland-based pediatric neurosurgeon, received the support of 40 percent of respondents, while an additional five percent say they are leaning towards supporting the first-time candidate. Merkley, who was elected to the Senate in 2008, garners the support of just 39 percent of respondents, with two percent saying they lean towards supporting him.

This makes very little sense. Wehby gets 40% + 5%? Merkley has 39% + 2%? Why not just say 45% and 41%? Is the author poor at math? Or are they implying a strong + 'other' support?

[kevkrom]

This makes very little sense. Wehby gets 40% + 5%? Merkley has 39% + 2%? Why not just say 45% and 41%? Is the author poor at math? Or are they implying a strong + 'other' support?

It's perfectly valid to exclude "leaners" from the top-line numbers; in other types of reports I'd see it as 40-39 (45-40 with leaners).