CNN is a great news organization peopled by wonderful journalists. Their survey department is also run by fine pollsters. So I really do hate to pick on them, especially for a fault in which they are hardly alone.

But, they are the most current example of a news outlet that has created a huge story out of its own poll, even when its results differ from those of other surveys.

CNN’s latest poll, which – as far as I know – adheres to high methodological standards, seemed particularly newsworthy precisely because it showed dramatic change in President Obama’s standing with the American public.

CNN’s own Web article highlighted the “plunge” in Obama’s approval rating.

As the piece noted, the president’s approval rating “dropped 8 percentage points over the last month to 45%, the President’s lowest rating in more than 8 months.