CNN's O'Brien Skews Focus Group Poll With Bad Arithmetic

This is really way too funny.

On Thursday evening, CNN's Soledad O'Brien ran a focus group at Ohio State University moments after Joe Biden and Sarah Palin finished their vice presidential debate (video embedded right).

As she asked attendees who they felt won, she used a stunning form a new arithmetic to conclude that Biden had "by a significant margin" (as noticed by Creative Minority Report, h/t NB reader Patrick Archbold):

Soledad asked them immediately after the debate, "How many thought Joe Biden won the debate tonight?"

I'd say about half the hands go up. O'Brien then inexplicably says, "So, looks overwhelming." Then she asks who thought Palin won. Again, about half the hands go up and she describes it as "small hands." Then she quickly declares Biden the winner and calls it a day.

Hey, how about a roll call, Soledad? Now to my eye, it looks pretty evenly split. I counted 12 for Biden and 11 for Palin.

Now, from my eye, I see about 28 people on screen not including O'Brien. In the transcript that follows, O'Brien said there were a total of 32 people present.

Of the 28 on screen, I also count 12 for Biden. That means that even if all four out of view voted for Biden, the total would be 16. How could that be "overwhelming" as O'Brien said, when it would only represent half?

I also see 11 hands for Palin. Yet, O'Brien said, "So small handful. Joe Biden wins by a significant margin there."

Amazing. Partial transcript follows:

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's been absolutely fascinating to get a sense of what resonated and what did not resonate and what they take away from this evening.

So let's begin, folks, if we can. Thirty-two people, roughly again, Wolf, broken down, registered independents, registered Democrats, registered Republicans. So basically evenly.

Show of hands, who do you think won the debate? If you think Joe Biden won the debate, raise your hands. OK, that looks overwhelming. Let's now do if you think Sarah Palin won the debate, raise your hand. So small handful. Joe Biden wins by a significant margin there.