UK businesses back Obama

Tuesday, 21 October 2008 12:14 PM

British business leaders are backing Barack Obama as the best man to sort out the turmoil in global markets.

A fortnight ahead of the US presidential election, 85 per cent of leading UK business figures said the Democratic nominee had the leadership qualities to drag the world economy out of the doldrums.

Three-quarters of respondents to Leaders in London's survey said Mr Obama was more intelligent than his White House rival, Republican John McCain.

The same proportion backed Mr Obama, 47, to restore international economic stability.

The 1,000 respondents to Leaders in London's poll said the Illinois senator was more visionary, energetic, driven and charismatic than Mr McCain, 72.

"The poll shows that British business leaders have strong opinions of the different candidates and a vested interest in the election's outcome," said Ros Oxley, managing director of Leaders in London.

"It also reveals the importance of qualities such as vision, energy and drive to successful leadership."

With two weeks to go until Americans go to the polls to elect a new president, Mr Obama holds a significant lead over Mr McCain in daily tracking polls.

Last weekend he received the key endorsement of former secretary of state Colin Powell, while it was also revealed his fundraising campaign had raised $150 million in September alone - a record for any US presidential candidate in history.

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