Barack Obama's tour of Iraq and Afghanistan has failed to change public perceptions of his war-management abilities and his camp is worried about his narrowing lead over Republican rival John McCain in recent polls.

A CBS News poll shows only 20% of those surveyed say that Obama is "very likely" to be an commander-in-chief, 4% down from last month.

McCain is seen as "very likely" to be effective by 38% of respondents, down eight points from last month but significantly ahead of the Obama.

A Gallup daily poll showed Obama with a 4 point advantage but for the first time since June, losing the battle for independents by 43% to 40%.

McCain is seen as catching up in states like Ohio and Florida, places very critical in the showdown of November 4.

Top Democrats are worried that Obama and his campaign is not going aggressively after Senator McCain. "That element exists there's no question," said Governor of Pennsylvania Ed Rendell, to The Hill newspaper.

"I think there's definitely some trepidation," an unnamed Democratic strategist has been cited in The Hill.