Poll: McCain makes gains on economy issue

PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 10 (UPI) -- John McCain has gained ground on Barack Obama on U.S. economic issues, while Obama has the edge in education and healthcare, a Gallup Poll indicates.

While 48 percent of U.S. residents said they think the Democratic Party nominee for president can better handle the economy, 45 percent said McCain could, results of the Gallup/USA Today poll released Wednesday indicated.

Just before the Democratic National Convention in late August, Obama had a 16-point margin over the Republican Party candidate for president on the economy.

When asked whether Obama or McCain could better handle education and healthcare issues, respondents said Obama was their choice for both education, 53 percent to 36 percent, and healthcare, 52 percent to 40 percent, Gallup said.

Results were based on telephone interviews Friday-Sunday with 1,022 adults. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.