New York Post

  • Leadership and experience count.

    Exit polls of Republican voters yesterday showed Sen. John McCain ran strongest with voters who cared about a candidate's leadership qualities.

    And he slightly led Mitt Romney among those who said issues - the economy, terrorism and the war in Iraq - were more important.

    In coast-to-coast primary elections last night, McCain grabbed independents and, significantly, mainstream Republicans looking for an experienced candidate.

    Mitt Romney continued his attraction with conservatives - and two groups in particular: those who favor deporting illegal immigrants and hawks on the war in Iraq.

    Exit polls showed McCain picking up support among party regulars, making for a virtual tie between him and Romney for voters calling themselves Republican.

    The Associated Press' exit polling in early states found they each received 40 percent of that group.