The Illinois senator's lead of 49 percent to 42 percent over Republican Sen. John McCain comes at an especially opportune time for Obama because thousands of Ohioans already are casting ballots in the state's first presidential election allowing any registered voter to vote absentee. The new setup takes away some of the heft from the adage "the only poll that counts is the one on Election Day."

Ohio is even more critical to McCain's campaign this year since he pulled out of Michigan last week. Not only has no Republican ever won the presidency without carrying the Buckeye State, McCain almost has to run the 2004 electoral table to win, carrying every single state President Bush won four years ago, including Ohio.

The Arizona senator is scheduled to appear in Cleveland on Wednesday, while Obama plans a two-day bus trip across Ohio this week.

Although both are attempting to persuade voters that they would bring about the change America needs, the survey shows that Ohioans are buying that message more from Obama, by a margin of 10 percentage points.

"It is not only a matter of change, but change for the better, and Obama has the better chance of securing that change," said poll participant Graig E. Kluge, 36, a Cleveland Heights real-estate investment manager.

"John McCain voted with Bush 90 percent of the time in 2007-08 and at least 70 percent before that. McCain will not push for the change that is needed for this country -- he is going to be much like Bush."

When respondents were asked to compare the vice presidential qualifications of the two running mates, Democrat Joe Biden was an easy winner over Republican Sarah Palin -- although virtually all the responses came before Thursday night's debate between the Delaware senator and Alaska governor. Biden was deemed more qualified by 55 percent, Palin by 35 percent.

"Their qualifications are worlds apart," said Bruce Tromp, 42, a software engineer from Springboro, near Cincinnati. "Biden has years of experience and is a skilled politician. Palin doesn't even seem to understand the issues, let alone be able to form an intelligent opinion on them."

The poll of 2,262 likely Ohio voters was conducted Sept. 24 through Friday, a period that spanned the first presidential debate and the vice presidential matchup, as well as Washington's response to the Wall Street meltdown. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2 percentage points, meaning Obama's actual lead could range from 5 points to 11 points.

Obama has committed more resources to Ohio and Florida than any other states, and it's showing in his substantial TV ad buys, the widespread push to get early voters to the polls, and a ground game entrenched in places that Democrats seldom win.

McCain's best hope might stem from the fact that Ohio traditionally leans toward the GOP and more moderate candidates, and the state party has one of the best organizations in the country. However, the Dispatch Poll shows a playing field that currently holds 10 percent more self-identified Democrats than Republicans.

In the first Dispatch Poll on the general election, McCain held a 1-point lead. In that survey, just before the parties' national conventions, Obama was struggling to gain the support of Democrats and those who had voted for Sen. Hillary Clinton in the March primary and for Gov. Ted Strickland in 2006.

Obama has made progress on all those fronts. For example, he had the backing of only half of Clinton's supporters in August; now he has support from two-thirds. And Obama's percentage among Democrats has increased by 10 points.

Respondent Craig Holderby is one Clinton backer who now is solidly behind Obama.

The 53-year-old chemical technician from Hilliard said he likes Obama's "fresh ideas," his youth and energy, and his lack of connections to big corporations or lobbyists.

"John McCain has turned into the right-wing neo-con that is willing to do or say anything to become president. He was a much better person (in) 2000 and before," Holderby said.

But it's not difficult to find McCain supporters -- and Obama detractors -- among those taking part in the poll.

"McCain is easily the best qualified," said Jack Wood, 44, a manager from Bexley. "His experience speaks for itself, and he has a history of bipartisanship, cooperation. He's demonstrated a willingness to compromise with Democrats on many issues and that gets things done."

Wood added, "Obama is greatly inexperienced and is a polarizing figure. He claims he'll be a uniter, but he has the most liberal Senate voting record in an unpopular partisan Congress."

Tracy Clyburn, 42, a medical transcriptionist from Amelia, east of Cincinnati, said, "I don't feel that Barack is a 'true American.' I don't believe that Barack has as much concern for out country as does McCain. It seems like he is in it for the fame. I really don't feel he has the experience to lead our country."

Robert Neeley Sr., 73, of Fairfield in southwestern Ohio, retired from the U.S. Air Force, goes even further.

"He is anti-American and his disrespect to our flag and our Bible proves it. He is a Muslim because his name and his beliefs show it. He is for everything that a Christian is against.

"I don't believe that he was actually born in the U.S. He has a lot of bad baggage."

drowland@dispatch.com