Poll: Obama plays role in 2010 election

PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The president is playing a large role in U.S. voter preferences, with 38 percent of voters saying their ballot is a vote against Barack Obama, Gallup said.

Results released Monday indicate 38 percent of voters are more likely to use their vote for Congress Tuesday to send a message that they oppose Obama while 24 percent said their vote would be a signal of support. Thirty-seven percent said their vote wouldn't signal any message.

Among those supporting Republican candidates, 54 percent say their vote is more a vote for the Republican candidate while 32 percent said it was vote against the Democratic candidate, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said. Among backers of the generic Democratic candidate, 67 percent said they would vote for their candidate while 21 percent said they would be voting against the GOP candidate.

National issues were cited by 41 percent of voters when asked about voting for a congressional candidate, while 23 percent said a candidate's character and experience were important. Twenty-one percent said local and state issues were key and 12 percent cited the candidate's political party.

Results are based a nationwide survey of 1,539 adults conducted Thursday through Sunday. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.