Washington, Nov 1 : In the most recent poll Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama remains in a close race with his Republican rival John McCain, having a three point lead.

The George Washington University Battleground Poll shows Obama leading McCain 45 percent - 42 percent. Twelve percent of likely voters remain undecided.

The disapproval rating for Congress is 73 percent. The economy is the most important issue among registered “likely” voters (41 percent compared to 7 percent for terrorism/homeland security and 8 percent for war in Iraq).

Fifty-two percent believe Obama will “fight for people like me” and 59 percent believe he will bring change to Washington. Fifty five percent believe McCain will “keep America safe and secure.”

Republican pollster The Tarrance Group and Democratic pollster Lake Research Partners are conducting weekly tracking polls to analyze voter attitudes, Newswise reported.

This bipartisan George Washington University Battleground 2008 Poll surveyed 1,000 registered “likely” voters nationwide Oct. 23, and Oct. 26-29, 2008, and yields a margin of error of + 3.1 percent.

The George Washington University is the sponsor of the GW-Battleground Poll. Its Graduate School of Political Management guides the University’s role in the poll.

The University is recognized as having some of the most politically active students in the nation in the 2009 Princeton Review.

In the 2004 presidential election, the George Washington University Battleground Poll had the distinction of being the most accurate national poll predicting the presidential election outcome.

First conducted in 1991, the polls have gained widespread recognition as reliable, leading indicators of national opinions and voters’ intentions.

The national polling program is unique to the industry because it offers the distinct perspective of two top pollsters from different sides of the political aisle. (ANI)