An Apparent Lead?

Poor CNN. Just how grudgingly can they admit that Americans prefer George Bush to John Kerry.

Bush apparently leads Kerry in pre-debate poll
President's approval rating highest since January

The CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll shows that among likely voters, Bush was the choice of 52 percent, while Kerry was the choice of 44 percent and independent Ralph Nader garnered 3 percent. That result was within the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

In the broader category of registered voters, 53 percent supported Bush; 42 percent, Kerry; and 3 percent, Nader. That question had the same margin of error.

That's a lead, not an "apparent lead."