Conn. voters say economy in recession

HARTFORD, Conn., Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Connecticut residents say the U.S. economy is in recession and likely won't improve under the leadership of either major presidential hopeful, a poll indicates.

The poll by the Center for Survey Research and Analysis at the University of Connecticut found three-fourths of respondents say they feel the economy is in a recession, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported Sunday.

The polls also found that 34 percent of respondents said the economy would improve under Democrat Barack Obama, while 21 percent said the economy would be better off under Republican John McCain's leadership, the newspaper said.

"Despite the widespread enthusiasm about the 2008 presidential election, Connecticut residents are not optimistic about what it portends for an economic recovery," said Samuel Best, the center's director.

The poll used responses of 606 randomly selected adults polled by phone Aug. 4-12. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.