WASHINGTON - A new national poll shows John McCain has taken the lead from Barack Obama in the presidential race.

The USA Today-Gallup Poll shows McCain now ahead, 50 per cent to 46 per cent. That puts the Republican's lead beyond the margin of error.

The survey was taken from last Friday to Sunday, after the Republican National Convention, and indicates the Minnesota gathering gave him a substantial bounce.

Obama had a seven-point advantage following the Democratic National Convention in Denver the week before.

The addition of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to the Republican ticket prompted 29 per cent of the voters surveyed to say they were more likely to vote for McCain.

Twenty-one per cent say it made them less likely.