CONCORD -- For the first time, an independent poll gives former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley a clear lead over Vice President Al Gore among likely voters in the New Hampshire Democratic primary.

The New Hampshire Poll shows Bradley leading Gore by 48 percent to 36 percent among 600 likely voters in the nation's first presidential primary. The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The two Democrats were in a statistical tie in the same poll two weeks ago.

The latest poll also found Arizona Sen. John McCain ahead of Texas Gov. George W. Bush, 39 percent to 30 percent, among 600 likely voters in the Republican primary. Compared with the poll two weeks ago, Bush's support remained the same, while McCain's inched up 2 percentage points to give him a statistically significant lead.

Among the other Republicans, publisher Steve Forbes was third with 11 percent, former U.N. Ambassador Alan Keyes drew 4 percent and conservative activist Gary Bauer and Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah each drew 1 percent.

The poll also found that Bradley's favorability rating has increased to 77 percent from 69 percent in early December. Gore's favorability rating remained nearly unchanged at 71 percent, but his unfavorable rating rose from 14 percent to 21 percent.

On the Republican side, McCain, Bush and Forbes all saw jumps in their favorability ratings. McCain led, with 80 percent of likely Republican voters regarding him favorably, compared to 69 percent who have a good opinion of Bush and 53 percent who like Forbes.

The telephone poll was conducted Dec. 17-21 by American Research Group Inc., of Manchester.

The Democratic sample included 527 registered Democrats and 73 independent voters who said they plan to vote in the Democratic primary Feb. 1. The Republican sample included 508 Republicans and 92 independents.