Poll: Voters prefer McCain to handle Russia

By a large margin, voters think John McCain is better qualified than Barack Obama to handle Russia, according to a new poll released today by Quinnipiac University.

That has helped McCain gain slightly on Obama,who still leads nationally. In July, Obama led by 50-41 percent, or 9 points. Now, Obama leads 47-42, or 5 points.

Since the Russian fighting in Georgia put Russia back on the political radar scope, likely voters preferred McCain to handle such an issue by a margin of 55-27 percent, the survey found.

Independents gave McCain the nod on Russia by 55-24; Republicans preferred him by 86-5. Democrats preferred Obama by the narrower margin of 48-31.

"The poll underlines Sen. Obama's strengths and weaknesses," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Connecticut school's Polling Institute.

"Strengths: He leads overall and he's strong with women, even stronger among young folks and astronomically strong with blacks. Weaknesses: Sen. John McCain beats him among white voters, men, older folks and white Catholics."