Chinadoll -

I agree with most of your points. But the reason why CNN polls get credit is because they use market research firms to do the research. Now, how they report it can be totally skewered, but the research companies will basically lose out on a ton of business if they're found out to be fraudulent (my husband works in market research).

Let's say that the study met all your requirements (sample size, etc.) and the result was the same or similar? Then what? Personally, I think it's pointless to quibble about the numbers of this particular result as it's been a study that has been conducted before with similar results. I think you have to prepare yourself for the fact that that is most likely an accurate result, in which case your point about America being relatively isolated, etc. is quite a valid excuse.

Most Americans might not know where Uzbekistan is, but they have A LOT of geographical knowledge about individual states and cities within the US. People from other countries often forget this fact.

I'm interested to know, since you studied communications, if you believe media outlets are biased according to their sponsors?