Wishing doesn't make it so.

One of the stunning facets of the recently concluded Presidential election in America is the breach between so many Republican strategists and pollsters and the cold, hard presence of reality. Dozens of them had predicted a huge Romney victory, relying on their own methodologies and interpretations and invalidating those surveys that went against their beliefs.

In fact, a reporter asked Republican strategist Karl Rove on election night, "Is that just math you do as a Republican to make yourself feel better or is it real?"

Here's the thing about math. It knows the difference between true and false. And it doesn't take sides.

So many Republicans emulated Mark Twain's oath, "there are lies, damn lies, and statistics." In so doing they invalidated truth for opinion.

Many in our business do the same. In an effort to prove the efficacy of a particular tactic or medium, they concoct an artificial reality where they prevail. They find reams of "evidence" that proves the point they began with.

If you want to live your life "with math that makes you feel better" as opposed to "math that's real," that's fine with me.

We all carry our own burdens.

If yours isn't truth, so be it.