Leading in the Polls, Obama Appears in Phila. Today

Leading in the Polls, Obama Appears in Phila. Today

A new national poll suggests Barack Obama maintains a 7-point lead on John McCain, and that Sarah Palin may be a drag on the Republican ticket. And Mayor Nutter will be at Obama's side during his four Philly stops on Saturday.

The Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll of registered voters found 46 percent of respondents backing Obama to 39 percent for McCain. That's about the same as it was late last month.

On the vice presidential picks, the poll suggests Obama's choice of Joe Biden makes people 11 percent likelier to support the Democrats. But Sarah Palin appears to be an 8-point drag for the Republicans.

Half of those surveyed said the economy is the election's top issue, with nothing else coming close. And 50 percent indicated they had more trust in Obama to handle the economy, while 35 percent said McCain.

Asked who they expected to win, respondents picked Obama by a 3-1 margin.

Mayor Nutter will be at Obama's side during his four Philly stops on Saturday. Even though it’s already a heavily Democratic town, Nutter says the real goal is ensuring that Philadelphians turn out at the polls for Obama on November 4th.