According to Associated Press:

Polls show Feingold slightly trailing his Republican opponent, political newcomer Ron Johnson of Oshkosh, with four weeks left before the general election.

That line is meant to provide context for a story about Feingold’s latest campaign gaffe: using National Football League footage in a campaign ad without the NFL’s permission (more here). Feingold accusses Republicans of “celebrating in the endzone” prematurely and stands in front of a scoreboard with the score tied 10-10 at the start of the second half.

Apparently, this is what “slighty trailing” (or all-tied-up) looks like:

Rasmussen: Johnson 54, Feingold 42

McClatchy/Marist: Johnson 52, Feingold 45

CNN/Time: Johnson 51, Feingold 45

Daily Kos/PPP: Johnson 52, Feingold 41

If this is the kind of mathematical standard Democrats have been using all along, it would explain a lot.