A new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll on the presidential race has found that while John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate was popular, it doesn't appear to have been a game-changer in the minds of the state's likely voters.

While Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, is seen as considerably more qualified to be president, Minnesotans view Palin more favorably than they do the Delaware senator.

Forty-six percent say they have a favorable impression of Biden, compared to 53 percent who view Palin favorably.

At the same time, 66 percent of likely voters in Minnesota say they believe Biden is qualified to become president; only 43 percent say that of Palin.

Although the choice of Palin isn't the driving factor, the poll did detect a surge of support for McCain.

The poll of 1,106 likely voters was conducted Wednesday through Friday.

Look for the Minnesota Poll's full results on the presidential race in Sunday's Star Tribune.