Senator Barack Obama leads Senator John McCain 47% to 43% among registered voters nationwide. Obama enjoys a similar lead among likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate. Here, he edges McCain 49% to 44%. In a similar survey released by Marist College last week, registered voters nationally reported they prefer Obama to McCain by the same proportion — 47% to 43%. Despite last Friday’s presidential debate and the nation’s economic crisis, likely voters, including those leaning toward a candidate, also have not swayed. In last week’s survey, 49% said they supported Obama and 44% backed McCain. That’s the same proportion of voters who are behind each candidate today. Support splits along party lines. 88% of Democrats and 89% of Republicans say they back their party’s nominee. As for likely Independent voters, a majority prefer Barack Obama. He leads McCain among this important group by 51% to 40%.