Take Poll Data With A Grain Of Salt

Politics pundits -- who must drum up "news" on an hourly or daily basis -- are in a lather because Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) picked up a few points in a new Gallup-USA Today presidential preference poll. Others are tut-tut'ing about the Obama campaign's lack of a bounce since Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) bowed out of the presidential race.

Balderdash.

Not only is it 3.5 months until the election -- and most Americans are enjoying sun, BBQ and beer -- but small swings in polling numbers aren't usually very revealing, given the margin of error in all political polling. Trends are important, but poll-to-poll results, not so much.

Now might be a good time to review tips on judging poll validity.