NBC/WSJ Poll: Economic Crisis Lifts Obama Over McCain

Voters' concerns over the U.S. economic crisis have helped lift Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to a clear lead over Republican rival John McCain, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

The survey, conducted just one month before election day, shows Mr. Obama and running mate Joe Biden with 49% of the vote to 43% for Mr. McCain and Sarah Palin. Eight percent of voters say they support neither man or haven't decided.

The poll shows that advantage is driven partly by the economy. Fully six in 10 Americans say economic issues are most important to their vote. And by 46% to 29%, voters say they believe Mr. Obama would handle the economy better than Mr. McCain. The poll of 658 registered voters carries a margin for error of 3.8 percentage points.

By 34% to 29%, voters say Mr. Obama's handling of the financial crisis has left them more reassured about his candidacy rather than less reassured. But Mr. McCain has lost ground during the crisis, with voters saying they're less reassured about him by a 38% to 25% margin.

The recent presidential debates have also hurt the Republican ticket. By 50% to 29%, voters say Messrs. Obama and Biden have done a better job than Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin in debates so far.

The economic crisis adds to concerns about the Iraq War and unhappiness with President Bush to create a decidedly negative backdrop to the election. Just 12% of Americans say the country is headed in the right direction, just 29% approve of Mr. Bush's job performance, and just 13% approve of the job Congress is doing.

But just like Mr. Obama at the top of the ticket, Democrats are preferred in Congressional races as well. By 49% to 36%, voters say they want Democrats to control Congress next year.

By 56% to 35%, voters say they are worried about their own financial situation rather than confident. They are split on the bailout package passed by Congress, with 40% in favor and 38% opposed.

Just 11% call the bailout plan the right approach to stabilizing Wall Street. Another 54% called it necessary, if not the best approach, while 29% said the problem should have been left to the private sector.

© 2009 CNBC.com