In a sign of lingering bitterness from the primary fight, 24% of Clinton backers in the survey said they would vote for McCain, while 62% said they would vote for Obama.
"I'm a registered Democrat, and I don't like Obama. He's a lot of fluff," said Rebecca Desantis, a Clinton supporter in Harrisburg, Pa., who says she now favors McCain.
Palin's nomination was a plus for McCain among Republicans and independents: 43% of GOP registered voters and 38% of independents said they were more likely to vote for McCain because of Palin. Only 2% of Republicans and 18% of independents said she made them less likely to support McCain.
More people in the poll believed that Palin was not qualified to become president than that she was. Some 46% said she was not qualified; 41% said she was.
Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, Obama's running mate, was seen as qualified to be president by 68% of registered voters, while 15% saw him as unqualified.
Obama's supporters remain much more enthusiastic than McCain's, but McCain has made strides in firing up his supporters: 70% of those who said they would vote for McCain were enthusiastic about the candidate, up from 61% before the convention.
The change was particularly striking among voters who described themselves as part of the religious right: 71% were enthused this month, compared with 53% in August.
Among the dwindling number of undecided voters, however, some wondered if either candidate was up to the job during a baffling financial crisis.
"I don't think either candidate comprehends what is going on," said Joseph Schmidle, a retired soldier in West Virginia. "I voted for McCain in the primary because of his military experience. But I just don't think he can handle the economy. I don't think Obama can either."
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janet.hook@latimes.com
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Contest remains close
The financial crisis and concerns about the economy may be playing to Sen. Barack Obama's strengths, but the contest remains close in head-to-head matchups. Respondents also weighed in on the vice presidential picks.
Q: If the presidential election were being held today, for which presidential ticket would you vote? (among likely voters)
Barack Obama-Joe Biden: 49%
John McCain-Sarah Palin: 45%
Other candidate: 1%
Undecided: 5%
Q: Is Joe Biden/Sarah Palin qualified to become president if necessary? (among registered voters)
