Poll shows economy is most important factor in election

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - As Election Day 2008 draws nearer, the economy is becoming the defining issue for more Americans as they size up the candidates, a poll released Wednesday shows.

A national CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll found that 48 percent of respondents think the economy is now the most important factor in deciding how they will vote November 4. That's up from 42 percent in June and 35 percent in January.

The economy was by far respondents' largest concern. Of the more than 1,000 American adults surveyed in the poll, conducted July 27-29, only 18 percent said the Iraq war was the most important factor, and 13 percent said health care was most crucial.

–By CNNMoney.com's David Goldman