Obama Has 6 Percent Lead in CNU Poll

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has a six point lead in Virginia amid growing concern about the nation's economy, according to a poll released today by Christopher Newport University.

The poll shows Obama drawing 49 percent of the vote while GOP presidential nominee John McCain receives 43 percent. When the pollster presses undecided voters to cite which they candidate they are leaning toward supporting, Obama maintains his 6 percentage lead, 53 to 47 percent.

A Christopher Newport University poll one month ago had McCain ahead of Obama by 8 percentage points in Virginia. But that poll assumed that African Americans, who make up about 20 percent of the state's population, would account for a little less than 10 percent of the electorate. The latest poll assumes African-Americans will be 20 percent of the electorate.

McCain may be at a disadvantage in Virginia because of his selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah ( R) as his running mate. Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee Joe Biden has a 17- point advantage over Palin when voters are asked who is the strongest candidate.

About six in ten Virginia voters cite the economy as their top concern heading into election day. About 8 percent of voters named health care as their chief concern while 7 percent said it was the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.