Obama 53 - McSame - 45

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (CNN) -- A new national poll suggests Barack Obama is widening his lead over John McCain in the race for the White House.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll out Monday afternoon suggests that the country's financial crisis, record low approval ratings for President Bush and a drop in the public's perception of McCain's running mate could be contributing factors to Obama's gains among voters.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of likely voters questioned in the poll say they are backing Obama for president, with 45 percent supporting McCain. That 8-point lead is double the 4-point lead Obama held in the last CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, taken in mid-September.