Democratic US presidential candidate Barack Obama is set to unveil an "economic rescue plan for the middle class" at a campaign event in Ohio.

He has a double-digit poll lead over his Republican rival John McCain, a new ABC/Washington Post poll suggests.

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Aides to Mr McCain say that he will not be making any specific economic proposals in his speech.

Major address

Senator Lindsey Graham, an economic adviser to Mr McCain, had earlier suggested that the Republican candidate was considering a reduction in capital gains tax.

But McCain aides now say that any such plan will not be unveiled until later this week.

"We will likely have further proposals this week as economic news and conditions change," said McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds.

Illinois Senator Obama is scheduled to give a "major policy address" in Toledo, Ohio, his campaign said, to outline an "economic rescue plan for the middle class".

As the recent economic turmoil has unfolded, Mr Obama, 47, has been enjoying a surge in the polls.

According to the ABC News/Washington Post poll, of those voters who rate the economy as their most important issue, 62% favour Mr Obama, while 33% prefer Mr McCain.

Mr McCain's team has indicated a change of tack after a series of personal attacks on Mr Obama.

Among all voters, Mr Obama leads Mr McCain by 53% to 43%.

Over the weekend, the Republican candidate became embroiled in a war of words after clashing with a civil rights icon.

Democratic congressman John Lewis accused Mr McCain's campaign of "sowing hatred" against his opponent and said he had been reminded of 1960s segregationist George Wallace.

Arizona Senator McCain, 72, who recently said Mr Lewis was one of his most admired Americans, called the reference "beyond the pale".

Mr McCain has also tried to cool his supporters' resentment of Mr Obama, for which he won praise from his opponent.

In Minnesota on Friday, Mr McCain defended Mr Obama after some at the town hall meeting labelled him a "terrorist", "an Arab", a "traitor" and a candidate who inspired fear.

(BBC)

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