[classicman]

From Bill Schneider
CNN Senior Political Analyst

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) -- It's odd to present yourself as a maverick to the most partisan audience imaginable, as John McCain did Thursday night.

But the real audience wasn't sitting in the Xcel Center this evening to watch the Arizona senator accept the Republican Party's presidential nomination; it was the independents at home looking for a reason to vote for him.

It wasn't that long ago that McCain was the Republican most admired among Democrats. He retains some residual popularity with Democrats and particularly independents.

Seemed like a rather fair assessment of what l saw as well.