Poll: McCain edges ahead of Obama

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Results of a Ipsos/McClatchy poll indicate that Republican presidential candidate John McCain has a slight lead over his Democratic rival, Barack Obama.

McClatchy Papers said Friday that the poll of 1,018 adults nationwide found that 46 percent of respondents favored the GOP senator from Arizona, while 45 percent backed Obama, a U.S. senator from Illinois.

Ipsos Public Affairs Senior Vice President Clifford Young said the poll results indicated that McCain may have used the Republican National Convention to boost his popularity.

"The race has tightened," Young said of the results of the poll, which had a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points.

"McCain got a very good bump from his convention and now it's a real race."

When asked if Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Biden and Republican running mate Sarah Palin are qualified to be president, respondents tabbed Biden as more qualified.

McClatchy Papers said 60 percent of respondents gave Biden the thumbs up regarding his presidential capabilities, while election newcomer Palin earned the support of 48 percent of poll participants.