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More than half, 56 percent, of those surveyed, said they would prefer a candidate who can improve the economy, while 39 percent would prefer one who would be effective at fighting terrorism.

Voters tend to see presumptive Democratic Party nominee Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was more likely to do a good job with the economy and bringing down the price of energy, while fighting terrorism is seen as the greatest strength of likely Republican nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Voters tend to pick their candidate based on whether they see the economy or terrorism as the most important issue, Gallup said. But the poll found that isn't a perfect predictor of candidate choice. One-quarter of the voters who rank the economy as most important said they would vote for McCain, while one-quarter who put terrorism in first place prefer Obama.

Independents were more likely, 57 percent to 38 percent, to go for a candidate perceived as strong on the economy, Gallup said.

Gallup surveyed 1,625 adults by telephone June 15-19. The poll has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

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