Washington, Sept. 11 : Republican John McCain continues to maintain a slim lead over Democratic rival Barack Obama, almost two weeks after the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to a Fox News poll, McCain leads Obama by 45 percent to 42 percent. Independents too are backing McCain by 15 percentage points (46 percent to 31 percent). Last month, Obama had a one-point edge among independents.

Before the Democratic convention in Denver, Obama led McCain by 42 percent to 39 percent.

According to the poll, Independents are twice as likely to say McCain is "very qualified" to be president, and in addition, he has an 11-point edge among men.

McCain also leads Obama among white voters (50 percent - 36 percent), voters 55 years and over (45 percent - 37 percent), white Evangelical Christians (61 percent - 25 percent) and gun owners (56 percent - 27 percent).

Obama bests McCain among women (45 percent - 41 percent), moderates (48 percent - 35 percent) and black voters (76 percent - 13 percent).

McCain also has the support of 88 percent of Republicans, while Obama has the support of 79 percent.

The poll also says that there is a big change in which candidate voters think will win.

In July, nearly twice as many said they thought Obama would win (51 percent to 27 percent). Today, views are evenly divided: 41 percent believe Obama will win and 40 percent say McCain.

About one in seven voters is still undecided about their vote for president, and these are the voters who will likely determine who occupies the White House.

The results show undecided voters may be more apt to pull the lever for McCain.

All in all, by 50 percent to 34 percent voters would pick McCain for advice on this tough decision. (ANI)