WASHINGTON, July 10: Democratic presidential aspirant John Kerry has pulled ahead of incumbent President George W. Bush, according to a Time poll released on Friday that found more people were now backing Kerry compared with a June survey.

The poll was released as both Bush and Kerry picked up their respective campaigning ahead of the Nov 2 presidential election.

"If the election were held today, 49 percent of likely voters would vote for Kerry and 45 percent said they would vote for Bush," the poll found.

In a Time poll conducted in early June, Bush garnered 49 per cent of the likely vote compared to 48 per cent for Kerry.

Mr Kerry's acceleration past Bush comes after his campaign announced on Tuesday that fellow senator John Edwards of North Carolina would be joining the ticket as his vice presidential pick.

It found Edwards joining the ticket has done more for Kerry than Vice President Dick Cheney's standing has done for Bush.

Of those canvassed, 24 per cent said Edwards' standing as a running mate made them more likely to vote for Kerry.

And asked who would make a better president, 47 per cent chose Edwards compared with 38 percent who favoured Cheney.-AFP