US Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama was regaining his lead in national polls released on Thursday over his Republican rival John McCain, as the country's gloomy economic situation made the issue a priority for American voters.

A latest poll by CBS News and the New York Times showed that Illinois Senator Obama led McCain by 48 percent to 43 percent, and those who surveyed believed Obama was more likely than McCain to bring needed change to Washington by a margin of 65 percent to 37 percent.

US Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama shakes hands with the audience during a rally at Veterans Memorial Park in Manchester, New Hampshire September 13, 2008. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

A separate daily tracking survey by the Gallup also showed Obama with an edge of a slim 2 percentage points, within the margin of error.

Obama's lead was leveled off at the end of last month as more voters trusted McCain's competence in leadership and crisis management.

A new poll of likely voters nationwide released on Thursday by Quinnipiac University put the Democratic hopeful's supporting rate at 49 percent, compared to McCain's 45 percent.

US Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (L) and his wife Cindy are introduced to a crowd of supporters at a rally with Republican vice-presidential nominee Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin in Vienna, Ohio September 16, 2008.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

"Senator Obama is right back where he was before the so-called convention bounces with a four-point lead," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University polling institute. "The Democratic discombobulation after the selection of Governor Palin as GOP running mate seems to be steadying."

The polls all attributed Obama's resurgence to his economic policies' popularity among American voters.

Republican vice-presidential nominee Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin shakes hands with supporters after a rally with US Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain in Vienna, Ohio September 16, 2008.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

In the Quinnipiac poll, 51 percent said that McCain's proposed tax cut policy would only help the rich, while 9 percent said it would aid the middle class.

In a contrast, 33 percent said Obama's tax plans would help the middle class and only 9 percent said it would benefit the rich.

The poll also found that Obama still had a two digit lead among women voters, after McCain named Alaska female governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

He also had a 91 percent lead among African-Americans and remained popular among young voters and those over 55, while independents were split 46 to 45 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2008)