Clinton takes lead over Obama in Gallup poll

The spin is working. Not only have potential voters been affected, so has the press. Witness this interesting turn of phrase.

"Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has moved into a significant lead over Barack Obama among Democratic voters, according to a new Gallup poll."

Key word is significant.

"The March 14-18 national survey of 1,209 Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters gave Clinton, a New York senator, a 49 percent to 42 percent edge over Obama, an Illinois senator. The poll has an error margin of 3 percentage points."

Initial margin is 7 percentage points. Significant? Depends on how one defines th term significant. Webster's Dictionary has one definition as important, of consequence. Fine.

Now, if the poll has a 3% margin of error, that means the numbers 49-42 could be 46-42 (less significant, of less consequence), or even 46-45. One percentage point is negligible, of little importance or consequence.

But now the media is being subconsciously kinder to Clinton and more critical of Obama. Fine, in fact, for Obama needs to prove that he can withstand criticisms and rough goings.