Democratic or Republic US prez, economy will decide

ECONOMIC FACTOR: Which candidate do voters think will make things better?

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Washington: As the November election approaches, the current economic problems are becoming a major factor for Americans deciding whom to vote for.

The nation's economy could be the deciding issue for whom many Americans vote in November.

According to a new CNN-opinion research poll, nearly half of registered voters -- 48 per cent -- believe the economy is most important in picking the next president of The United States.

American consumers currently face a long list of economic problems, including rising unemployment, falling home prices, tightening credit and inflation from rising food and energy costs.

So which candidate do voters think will make things better?

Fifty four per cent of those questioned in the CNN-opinion research poll believed democrat Barack Obama would best handle the nation's economy.

Forty three per cent favored republican John McCAIN.

However, economists say those numbers aren't set in stone.

Wachovia economist, Mark Vitner says the reason Obama may have the edge in the poll now is because the candidate from the party that is not in power traditionally fares better when the economy is bad and democrats do better when unemployment is high.

But as inflation becomes more of a concern, voter opinion could shift. This week, the Federal Reserve cited rising costs as a reason not to adjust its key federal funds interest rate. McCain could benefit.

Vitner says people tend to vote republican when inflation rises.