Recent poll: Economy tops on voter’s mind

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: October 2, 2008

Republican John McCain is holding on to a slight lead over Democrat Barack Obama in Virginia, according to a new Mason-Dixon Virginia Poll.

McCain led with 48 percent of likely voters, while 45 percent back Obama and 7 percent remain undecided.

The poll of 625 registered voters in Virginia was conducted Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.

Obama has a sizable lead in Northern Virginia (57 percent to 37 percent), but McCain is favored in the rural corners of the state and in the Richmond area. The race is a toss-up in the Hampton Roads/Tidewater region.

Men, voters over the age of 35, whites, veterans, and those who identify as Republicans are mostly backing McCain.

Blacks, voters between the ages of 18 and 34, women, and those who identify as Democrats are mostly supporting Obama.

The race is a tie between voters who identify themselves as independents.

When asked what is the single most important issue facing the nation, the overwhelming majority (69 percent) said it was the economy/jobs. The war in Iraq was named as the top issue by 8 percent of respondents, while terrorism/national security was named by 6 percent.

Gas prices/energy was only named the top issue by 3 percent of respondents. Immigration garnered only 1 percent and environmental protection got less than 1 percent.

The survey also measured the voters’ views on the $700 billion bailout package that is before Congress. Slightly more than half (53 percent) support government intervention to address the problems in the credit and financial markets, while 17 percent were opposed and 30 percent were undecided.

Though the Mason-Dixon poll places McCain narrowly ahead of Obama, not all polls agree. A CNN/Time Magazine/Opinion Research Corp. poll of battleground states published Wednesday evening, for example, gave Obama a 9-point lead (53 percent to 44 percent) in Virginia.

Virginia has not backed a Democrat for president since 1964.