WASHINGTON, Aug. 27: A CNN poll released on Wednesday showed that the American public considers presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain better than his Democrat rival Barack Obama on terrorism and Iraq.

The poll, conducted by the US-based Opinion Research Corporation for CNN, found that voters consider Mr McCain a stronger leader who would have better judgment in an international crisis.

Fifty-eight per cent of those questioned think Mr Obama can handle the responsibilities of commander-in-chief, but that pales in comparison to the 78 per cent who feel that way about Mr McCain.

By a 51 per cent to 41 per cent margin, voters regard the senator from Arizona as the stronger leader, and they think he would have better judgment than Mr Obama in an international crisis by a 52 per cent to 43 per cent spread.

While reporting the poll results, US media outlets pointed out that Mr McCain favours sending unspecified numbers of US soldiers to Afghanistan.

Mr Obama, however, would add about 7,000 troops to the US force of 36,000, bringing the reinforcements from Iraq.

He also favours as unilateral attack on high-value terrorist targets in Pakistan as they become exposed, “if Pakistan cannot or will not act” against them.