Asked which candidate could do a better job of handling the financial crisis as president next year, 48% of registered voters named Obama and 35% named McCain.
The poll found a striking political divide between citizens who feel threatened by the current economic turmoil and those who don't.
When asked whether they felt less secure financially now than they did six months ago, Americans divided neatly in half: 50% said they felt less secure, and 49% said they felt no different or more secure.
Of those who said they felt less secure, a solid majority favored Obama for president. But of those who did not feel financially threatened, a solid majority favored McCain.
The issue of regulating financial institutions has suddenly jumped to the top of voters' priority list on economic issues, now equaling high energy prices as the top concern.
McCain has made advocacy of increased offshore oil drilling a centerpiece of his campaign, winning support from voters concerned about gas and oil prices. Taxes, another major theme of the McCain campaign, are cited as a concern by fewer than 1 in 10 voters.
Ellen Walton, 83, of St. Louis, said the financial crisis had only confirmed her intention of voting for Obama. "I don't think [the bailout plan] is fair to the taxpayers," she said.
Woyak, the Wisconsin retiree torn about the bailout, said she would vote for McCain. "I'm really glad he chose the lady for vice president. I admire him . . . ," she said. "I'm not against the other one [Obama]. I just don't know him well enough."
And Vermeulen, the Arkansas retiree, said he was undecided. "I think I'm leaning toward the guy with the appeals to change," he said, referring to Obama. But he added: "He hasn't proven to me that he's more than just a good speechmaker."
The poll of 1,428 adults, including 1,287 registered voters, was conducted by telephone Friday through Monday. The margin of sampling error for all adults and for registered voters was plus or minus 3 points. For smaller subgroups, the margin of error was higher.
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doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com
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Financial crisis weighing on voters' minds
The public blames Bush policy and ailing Wall Street companies for the financial crisis and considers Democrat Barack Obama best-suited to handle the situation next year.
