A total of 89 percent of American voters say they are "entirely comfortable" or "somewhat comfortable" having a black President, while 8 percent are "somewhat uncomfortable" or "entirely uncomfortable." A total of 64 percent of voters say they are "entirely comfortable" or "somewhat comfortable" with a President who is 72 years old, while 34 percent are "somewhat uncomfortable" or "entirely uncomfortable."
"More Americans are willing to admit prejudice against an older candidate than against a black candidate," Carroll said.
The economy is the single most important issue in their vote, 52 percent of American voters say, followed by 16 percent who list the war in Iraq, 10 percent who list health care and 9 percent who cite terrorism.
Obama leads McCain 49 - 41 percent among those who list the economy, 61 - 30 percent among those who cite the war and 66 - 24 percent among those worried about health care. McCain leads 76 - 19 percent among those who worry most about terrorism. Independent voters split 44 - 44 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Sen. McCain has a slight 47 - 44 percent edge among men voters and a larger 49 - 42 percent lead among white voters.
But black voters back Sen. Obama 94 - 1 percent, while women support him 55 - 36 percent. Obama leads 63 - 31 percent among voters 18 to 34 years old and 48 - 44 percent among voters 35 to 54, while voters over 55 split with 45 percent for McCain and 44 percent for Obama.
The Democrat gets 44 percent to the Republican's 47 percent in red states, which went Republican by more than 5 percent in 2004, and leads 50 - 39 percent in purple or swing states.
"Sen. Barack Obama's national lead is solid - but it's not monolithic," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"His support in the black community is about as close to unanimous as you can get. Politicians say that the only uncertainty will be turnout. Sen. John McCain leads among white voters.
"As is usually the case, the outcome probably will be decided in the middle, among the independent voters, who are evenly split at this point."
"About one-fifth of those who voted for New York Sen. Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries decline - so far, anyway - to come home to their party."
By a 55 - 29 percent margin, likely voters nationwide have a favorable opinion of Obama. McCain gets a 50 - 31 percent favorability.
