A sizeable plurality (47%) says Obama is the candidate best able to deal with the problems in financial institutions and markets.

Virtually no Democrats (2%) currently rate the nation’s economy as good or excellent, but Republicans are scarcely more upbeat.

Half of registered voters choose Obama on taxes.

Nearly eight-in-ten (79%) Americans say it is more difficult now than five years ago for people in the middle class to maintain their standard of living.

Out of 24 countries surveyed, Americans (53%) are the least supportive of international trade.

McCain leads among voters ages 65 and older.

Views of Obama are more favorable than were opinions of John Kerry at a comparable time in the 2004 election cycle.

Republicans were significantly less likely to vote for a candidate who is a mother of young children than one who is a father of young children, other factors being equal.

After the first presidential debate, the words most used to describe Obama’s performance and McCain’s were “confident” and “experienced,” respectively.

Fewer than four-in-ten (37%) say Sarah Palin is qualified to serve as president if necessary.