Darren Samuelsohn, E&E senior reporter

President Obama's call for congressional action on major global warming legislation has the support of three in five voters, according to an online poll commissioned by the National Wildlife Federation.

The Zogby Interactive poll asked 3,365 voters for their opinion on Obama's nationally televised speech last month to Congress in which the president requested a bill "that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America."

Nearly 42 percent of the respondents said they "strongly agree" with Obama's statement, coupled with another 16.5 percent who reported that they "somewhat agree" with the president. By contrast, 8.4 percent said they "somewhat disagree," and 31.5 percent reported that they "strongly disagree."

Obama's statement picked up majority support across several demographics collected in the survey, including age, income, education, regional and ethnic groups. For example, the president's plan came in at above 60 percent with 18-29 year olds. It also earned support from nearly 73 percent of self-described moderates, 88 percent of African Americans, 61 percent of Hispanic Americans and 61 percent of union members.

Opposition was most vocal among supporters of 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain, as well as people who classified themselves as conservatives and libertarians. Eighty-four percent of the conservatives who responded to the survey said they either "somewhat disagree" or "strongly disagree" with Obama's call.

Congressional Democrats were already working on climate legislation when Obama made his public plea for the measure, with House committee action expected by Memorial Day. Floor debates in the House and Senate are expected later this year.

Zogby said its poll -- conducted March 2-5 -- has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.7 percent.

Click here for a summary of the NWF poll.