More voters have reservations about seeing Michelle Obama as first lady than Cindy McCain, a new poll finds.

The Rasmussen Reports national survey, released Tuesday, found that 61 percent of voters said their perception of a presidential candidate's wife is at least somewhat important. And when sized up, the would-be Democratic first lady was viewed unfavorably by more respondents than the would-be Republican first lady.

Forty-two percent of voters viewed Barack Obama's wife unfavorably, compared with the 29 percent who viewed John McCain's wife unfavorably. Twenty-five percent viewed Michelle Obama very unfavorably, while just 10 percent viewed Cindy McCain very unfavorably.

The two candidate's wives have similar favorable ratings. Obama was viewed favorably by 48 percent, and McCain was viewed favorably by 49 percent.

But Obama's negative ratings could stem from remarks she made earlier in the year, when she said she was proud of her country "for the first time."

The Tennessee GOP released a Web video in May mocking her for the remarks -- Barack Obama called the video "low class."

But race also appears to play a factor in voters' perceptions of potential first ladies.

Among black voters, 86 percent saw Michelle Obama favorably, while just 5 percent saw her unfavorably. Among white voters, only 42 percent saw her favorably, while 48 percent saw her unfavorably.

Among black voters, 27 percent saw Cindy McCain favorably, while 48 percent saw her unfavorably. Among white voters, 53 percent saw her favorably, while 25 percent saw her unfavorably.

The poll was taken Monday of 1,000 likely voters, and had a margin of error of 3 points.