John McCain has been quietly winning back Republicans unhappy with the Bush era—and can even claim the support of many moderate Democrats. A new poll shows 20% of the electorate remains undecided, but McCain is now virtually tied with either Democrat—a far better result than the 13-point lead enjoyed last November by unnamed Democrat over unnamed Republican, the AP reports.
A third of McCain's current supporters did not choose him in that fall poll. The presumptive Republican nominee's image as strong and honest has improved since then. Barack Obama has picked up points for strength, but not honesty; Hillary Clinton has fallen on both scales. Those Democrats now supporting McCain routinely mentioned his age as a problem. (More John McCain stories.)