What does "an apparent majority" mean?

What does "an apparent majority" mean in the following sentence?

An apparent majority of the public no longer believes this budget is sufficient.

Which of the following interpretations apply?

1. It seems that a majority of the public ....
2. It is clear that a majority of the public ....
3. any other interpretation

It means the author is too lazy to incorporate real sources, instead describing what he finds apparent.