Everything is political these days. The first-rate interactive map team at the New York Times has put together six maps showing degrees of concern about global warming in different counties and congressional districts in the United States. The maps show a high correlation between Democratic party support and global warming concern—so high that they’re not very interesting.

The written commentary, by three reporters, isn’t much more illuminating. “Americans want to restrict carbon emissions from coal power plants,” the writers announce in large boldface type. “The White House and Congress may do the opposite.” The basis for the first assertion is a poll finding 69 percent supporting “strict limits on existing coal-fired power plants.” Yes, and 69 percent favor mom’s apple pie. Ordinary people’s responses to questions on technical regulatory issues are hugely malleable by question wording.