The Associated Press is reporting that Sen. John Kerry "narrowly trails" George W. Bush in the electoral college.

John Kerry narrowly trails President Bush in the battle for the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House, as he makes his case at the Democratic National Convention this week to topple the Republican incumbent. Tall hurdles remain in his path, including Electoral College math that favors Bush.

With three months remaining in a volatile campaign, Kerry has 14 states and the District of Columbia in his column for 193 electoral votes. Bush has 25 states for 217 votes, according to an Associated Press analysis of state polls as well as interviews with strategists across the country.

This is horserace reporting taken to its ridiculous extreme. The story is written as though the candidates already have these votes -- not that they lead in those states, etc. It's sloppy writing.