USA Today/Gallup: Obama 50%-43%

ST. PAUL — The Democratic National Convention significantly boosted Americans' views of Barack Obama as a strong leader who "shares your values" and can manage the economy and Iraq, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Saturday and Sunday finds.

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In the head-to-head race between the candidates, Obama now leads 50%-43% among registered voters. In the USA TODAY poll taken Aug. 21-23, the Illinois senator held a four-point lead.

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• On personal characteristics, Obama has eliminated McCain's advantage over him as "a strong and decisive leader." By 46%-44%, those surveyed say that characteristic applies more to Obama than McCain. Before the convention, McCain held an eight-point advantage. Obama has a 13-point advantage as someone who "shares your values," double the edge he held before the convention. He has an eight-point advantage as someone who is "honest and trustworthy; before the convention, they were ranked equally on that quality.

• On handling issues, Obama and McCain are rated equally in handling the situation in Iraq — 47% prefer Obama, 46% McCain — while McCain has a nine-point advantage in handling terrorism. That's significantly narrower margin than before the convention, when McCain had a 22-point lead. Obama has a 19-point lead in managing the economy.

• Obama has eased concerns about his level of experience, but they remain a significant factor. Now 50% of those surveyed say they are very or somewhat concerned about his experience. Before the convention, 57% were.

• McCain's favorable-unfavorable rating was 54%-38%, a healthy mark but his highest unfavorable this year. Obama's rating was 61%-32%.

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