WASHINGTON - DEMOCRATIC presidential candidate Barack Obama leads Republican opponent John McCain by 3 percentage points in a Newsweek poll released on Sunday, a marked change from the Democrat's 15-point lead last month.
Illinois Senator Obama captured 44 per cent of respondents' support in the poll, compared to Arizona Senator McCain's 41 per cent, a statistically-insignificant margin, the magazine said on its website. Fifteen per cent were undecided.
A June 20 Newsweek poll showed Mr Obama leading, 51 per cent to 36 per cent for Mr McCain.
In the new poll, 53 per cent of voters, including 50 per cent of those who formerly supported Mr Obama's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, believe that Mr Obama has changed his position on key issues in order to gain political advantage, the magazine said.
The poll surveyed 1,209 registered voters July 9-10, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Other recent polls have also shown a tight race. A Gallup daily tracking poll from Saturday showed Mr Obama leading McCain 46-43 per cent. -- REUTERS
