CNN.com readers offer keys to secret of McCain's success

(CNN) -- "It's sad to say that my vote has come down to this ... I just want to see an honest candidate," admits Mike Bodnia of Edina, Minnesota. That's why he's choosing Sen. John McCain in his state's upcoming primary, though he doesn't agree with McCain on every issue.

Mike Brace of Harrison Township, Michigan, suggests, "Perhaps some are concluding that 'wisdom comes with age' is not just a figure of speech" and points to McCain's "grandfatherly" quality as one feature that might be drawing voters to the Republican presidential candidate.

With McCain's victory Tuesday in Florida, he is positioned as the top Republican contender heading into the Super Tuesday primaries. CNN.com asked readers to share what they think makes up McCain's appeal. Below are a collection of their responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.

Debbie Pike of St. Louis, Missouri
It is very simple, actually. He comes across as an honest, trustworthy, real person. He is honorable and wants to make this country a better place, and doesn't project as someone doing this all for his or her own ego and self-interest.

Dick Williams of New York, New York
Simple. After seeing all the others over the past weeks, he comes across as less pandering to the particular audience. Took unpopular position supporting the surge and the often-criticized Bush administration. Courage unquestioned, vast experience, most trustworthy.

Kevin Armstrong of Georges Mills, New Hampshire
I support Sen. McCain because he is a man of tremendous honor and courage. I have had the pleasure of meeting him on a couple of different occasions and his strength of purpose is highly evident. His unimaginable experiences as a POW and his record in politics are compelling evidence of his strength of character.

Sen. McCain is loyal to conservative ideals but also not afraid to go his own way on matters that he is passionate about ... he is clearly willing to take an unpopular position even if politically unadvisable.

His tremendous experience and strength of character make him a compelling leader. Having Sen. McCain as our commander in chief would provide our country with the confident and reassurance we need in these dangerous times.

Vanessa Parks of Memphis, Tennessee
John McCain is the same, old stuff we've had with George Bush, but McCain is much more raw. He doesn't give off that old money air that Bush does, so he's attractive to the lay people, but he is still pseudo-conservative, neo-con illusion we've been buying into for eight years now.

Mike Brace of Harrison Township, Michigan
I suspect that McCain's age is an advantage rather than a disadvantage. I think that some people see a "wise grandfather"-like quality in him. Perhaps some are concluding that "wisdom comes with age" is not just a figure of speech. I'd hate to say it, but he's probably also getting some sympathy votes due to his age.

Mike Bodnia of Edina, Minnesota
It's sad to say that my vote has come down to this ... I just want to see an honest candidate. I don't necessarily agree with him on all of the issues, but at least he sticks with his guns unlike all the others.

Geno Galindo of Santa Barbara, California
I'm a registered Independent, and I've been a McCain supporter from the get-go. I think he is primarily (no pun intended) doing well because, agree with him or not, he is a man of principle and his word. Like myself, I think many feel character counts and McCain gets big points for character. And when it comes to national security, who in the field of candidates, Republicans and Democrats alike, can say they are more qualified to protect us and fight the global war on terror?

Lee H of Port Royal, South Carolina
I think that McCain knows when and how to compromise in order to get something accomplished with Congress, something our current president never attempted.

David Isacowitz of Great Neck, New York
While I am a registered Democrat, I think that McCain has the broadest appeal across the political spectrum. He is not an ideologist, he is a pragmatist. He is not unfailingly partisan. He is willing to cross the aisle when that is the way to get things done. He can send our forces overseas, if need be, having been there and not just having read about it. I also believe that he would do what is right for the American people, and not kowtow to fringe supporters. While I would vote for the Democratic nominee first, McCain is the only Republican potential that I could support.

P.S. -- In case it wasn't clear, all of the above attributes are ones that our current President lacks.

Skylar Evans of Austin, Texas
Once again, we are in a time when the negative dynamics of politics have become overwhelmingly transparent. It seems more than anything, that the people want sincerity. They want someone that is believable, someone that they can "believe in." I think this is why many are willing, in the case of Obama, to gladly welcome and accept honesty and integrity over experience in office. In a different way, McCain provides a similar outlet. He gets to the point and tells you how it is. He has placed himself outside of the political riff-raff seen by the other candidates.

Chris B of Union City, California
John McCain's appeal has to do with putting forth a candidate that will be competitive once the conventions are over and the election campaign is Democrat vs. Republican. All other Republican candidates have little appeal beyond the party faithful. McCain has respect and qualities that will draw votes from some independents and some Democrats.

Augustine Ayers of Port Henry, New York
Of all the candidates from both sides of the aisle, John McCain is the only one with real experience. Add to that, the likelihood that he would make changing the way campaigns are financed a priority of his administration, and you have a combination that will make it very hard for me to not vote for him, even though I feel strongly that it's time for a woman president.

Cathy Ambrose of Wildwood, Florida
I'm trying to find the appeal of McCain? The majority of the country wants the war to end and he's for the war. Reagan was too old when he was president and I believe was already in a stage of Alzheimer's when he was elected. If people want to compare McCain to Reagan, what did Reagan accomplish that was so great??

Bryan Tannehill of Xenia, Ohio
McCain is pulling away for a few reasons. He is not nearly conservative enough on social issues for most Republicans, particularly immigration. However, his strong military and foreign policy stands assuage the worries of many voters.

One issue that has not been discussed due to its sensitivity is how Mitt Romney's religion hurts him with multiple demographic groups. Evangelical Christians, which form the backbone of the Republican base, are traditionally hostile towards the Mormon religion, regarding it as apostasy. Minority voters are turned off by the fact that the church did not allow blacks to hold higher levels of the priesthood until 1977. Social liberals are very uncomfortable with the Mormon church's stands on women, traditional family roles and homosexuals.

The assessment of many Republicans I know is not that McCain is not a better Republican, or even candidate, but that Romney is completely unelectable in the general election because his religion alienates too many demographic groups. The hope of other amateur strategists is that Hillary will unite the Republican base behind McCain, while his record as a maverick will allow him to pull in independents and moderates, while painting Hillary as a partisan "business as usual" candidate due to her strict party line voting record.

Brian Wallenstein of Toms River, New Jersey
First and foremost, I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat. However, I do believe McCain appeals to more individuals because he has been known to take the time to listen to everything anybody has to say.

When I lived in New Hampshire, he was campaigning along with Bush while Clinton was in office. McCain stayed in a hotel conference room for hours into the evening making sure he answered every single question that anybody had to ask. This, to me, is true dedication.

Scott Wardle of Riverton, Utah
I think McCain's appeal has to do with the fact that he has crossed that aisle on many issues. He doesn't vote for an issue just because his fellow Republicans are doing it. He truly seems to vote his conscience, what he feels is best for the country. I admire that in a politician.

Josh Goller of Chicago, Illinois
John McCain is essentially the only Republican I would support as President. I don't think I'll vote for him, but I'd consider it, which is saying something.

He's a moderate conservative on a lot of issues, and that's the biggest appeal to a lot of independents, I think. His pro-war stance concerns me, but he is also one of the biggest critics of the way the war has been waged at this point, which makes me hopeful he would be effective in ending it. E-mail to a friend