The race between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain for the White House is essentially neck and neck, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

The new poll shows 48 percent favoring Obama and running mate Sen. Joe Biden versus 46 percent favoring McCain and his vice presidential pick Gov. Sarah Palin.

The poll was conducted between Sept. 19-22 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The Wall Street Journal reported that McCain may remain competitive because the survey shows voters have grown even angrier about the direction of country than they were over the summer; McCain has eviscerated Wall Street and Washington alike for the greed, corruption and incompetence he says are behind the financial meltdown.

However, a majority of voters believe Obama is best able to handle the economy, and 48 percent believe he is very or fairly likely to bring real change in direction to the country, versus 32 percent who believe McCain is very or fairly likely to bring change.

The poll also found that 49 percent said that Palin is unqualified to be president should the need arise; 40 percent said she's qualified.

By contrast, 64 percent said Biden is qualified to be president, versus 21 percent who disagree.