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PHILADELPHIA -- Texas Gov. George W. Bush has done a better job than Vice President Gore of convincing voters he's personally suited to be president, a new USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll shows.

As Republicans prepare to open their national convention here Monday, Bush held an 11-point lead over Gore in a survey taken Tuesday and Wednesday, after his selection of former Defense secretary Dick Cheney as running mate.

"Bush has been dominating the news since last week," Republican strategist Scott Reed said. "He is now on a pre-convention roll."

Gore's aides hope to seize the public's attention and boost their candidate's standing when he announces his running mate soon after the GOP convention ends.

By 65%-31%, those polled said Bush has the personality and leadership qualities a president should have. Gore had a 49%-49% split.

Bush led Gore 50%-39% among likely voters, up from a virtual tie just 10 days earlier.

Mark Fabiani, Gore's deputy campaign manager, notes that Bush's father was leading before the national conventions in 1992 only to lose to the Clinton-Gore ticket. "So stay tuned: History is about to repeat itself."

One-fourth of those polled said they could change their minds.

Now, however, Bush is seen as significantly better at handling such key issues as national defense, taxes and foreign affairs, trade and the budget surplus.

Gore is rated significantly better at handling the environment and Medicare.

However, on Social Security and education, issues that traditionally benefit Democrats, the candidates are rated about evenly.

Bush is preferred on handling the economy even though many Democrats see the current prosperity as their strongest advantage.