Races do change your perspective on candidates, in part, because
the comparison to others may improve or worsen how you view them.
At the start of the race McCain was "too old" or "too grumpy" or
"too stubborn" or "too angry." Now, an experienced, no nonsense
candidate with no scandals other than Keating Five ( 5 people other
than the "Five" in America remember that) who abhors spinning and
has little patience with fools seems sort of nice. Same guy,
different perspective after seeing the alternatives. That change in
how voters view him personally may be an additional plus in his
column.