Gallup released a report today highlighting some of its recent polling on issues and candidate evaluations before tonight’s final presidential debate.

The stability of certain dimensions of the race is striking, given the big shift in the horserace polling numbers in the last few weeks.

For example, American opinions about Obama’s readiness and experience to be president remain low and have not changed. Nor have views about whether John McCain would pursue the same policies as President George W. Bush. Even favorability of the two candidates continues near parity. But if these important considerations have remained constant, why have the head-to-head polls changed so much?

Many believe the changes result from the recent financial market volatility. Is American anger and angst about dwindling retirement and college savings accounts the real culprit here? This chart posted on Pollster.com tells the story in a picture.

Could a stock market reversal improve John McCain’s fate just as quickly? You can read the full Gallup pre-debate report here.