By 52 percent to 40 percent, those most recently polled by Gallup said they believe the presumed Democratic Party nominee for president could best handle the economy. This was an increase since February when a Gallup poll showed Obama with a 46-percent-to-43-percent lead over the presumed Republican Party nominee for president.

Overall, the polling of 923 registered voters indicated each candidate had a mix of strengths. Obama was given an advantage on four domestic issues tested in the poll, while McCain was seen as having an advantage on three international issues. Obama's biggest issue advantage versus McCain came in healthcare policy by 56 percent to 34 percent. McCain had a 24-point advantage in terrorism-related areas.

The poll, taken Thursday-Saturday, had a 4-percentage-point margin of error.