A recent survey indicates that John McCain's attacks on presidential rival Barack Obama may be paying off.

A Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll released Tuesday shows that more respondents believe Arizona Sen. McCain, the Republican candidate, has the right experience to be president.

Yet more respondents favor Sen. Obama, D-Ill., to handle the economy, an issue that tops the list of importance for voters this year.

Mr. Obama's supporters are more enthusiastic than Mr. McCain's, and independents seem to lean toward the Democrat.

Another factor working in Sen. Obama's favor is the view of 75 percent who say the United States under Republican presidential leadership is on the wrong track.

But as the Democratic convention draws nigh, the two senators appear to be statistically tied: Mr. Obama holds a slight lead, 45 percent to 43 percent.

Poll analysts point to the fact that Mr. Obama's favorability rating has dropped from 59 percent since the last poll taken in June to 48 percent today. He was given a negative rating of 35 percent, up from 27 percent in June.

Yet Sen. McCain's ratings have stayed virtually the same — 46 percent of respondents feel positively about him, 38 percent give him negative ratings.

Mr. McCain has used the word "celebrity" in attacks on Mr. Obama in recent weeks, suggesting that the Democrat lacks the experience to be commander in chief during dangerous times.

In the poll, nearly one-half of respondents question Mr. Obama's experience while only 14 percent suggest the same of Mr. McCain.

Yet the survey indicates that Mr. Obama may inspire a stronger turnout among his supporters and also may gain the crucial independent vote. In the poll, independents favored him 47 percent to 36 percent.

Both candidates are due to name their vice presidential running mates soon. It will be interesting to see what the polls say after those choices are announced and the respective nominating conventions are held.