There is no explaining an LA SLimes poll - it's not worth the paper it's printed in.
CBS and the LA Times seem to be in a contest to see which one can produce the most unrealistic poll results. Look for CBS to come out soon with a 20 point lead for JF'nK.
Come on now--it is worth much as an excellent means in which to wrap dead fish...
Actually, this poll CAN be explained.
apparently they cooked the poll by having independents at about 33%, Republicans at about 25% and Democrats at about 40%. With those percentages, the numbers approach the LATimes results.
Clearly they are skewing the truth, but LATimes and Truth do not necessarily walk within a mile of each other, let alone hand-in-hand.
If one calculates the results with a 1/3 1/3 1/3 split, Bush leads by about 4%
Given that Republicans/Conservatives have an advantage in turn-out, this poll should show Bush leading Kerry by about 6-7%.
LATimes re-adjusted for reality shows a decent Bush lead.