Key states split between McCain, Obama

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Four states considered key to the U.S. presidential race are split between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, a Time/CNN poll indicates.

In New Hampshire and Michigan, Obama leads McCain 51 percent to 45 percent and 49 percent to 45 percent, respectively, poll results released Thursday indicated. McCain leads Obama in Virginia and Missouri, 50 percent to 46 percent and 50 percent to 45 percent, respectively.

Pollsters said results indicated Obama has problems attracting white voters. In Missouri, Virginia and Michigan, the U.S. senator from Illinois loses that segment by 14 percentage points to 20 points.

Among white women, a segment GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has helped McCain improve his numbers, Obama trails McCain by double digits in Michigan, Virginia and Missouri in the voting demographic.

The four polls were conducted by telephone Sunday through Tuesday. The Michigan poll of 966 registered voters, Missouri survey of 940 voters and Virginia poll of 920 voters have a margin of error of 3 percentage points. The New Hampshire poll of 899 has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.