PrintSeptember 11, 2007
The Fred Surge
Fred Thompson had been a putative candidate for so long, it seemed that his formal announcement to enter the GOP race for President was something of an after thought.
But polls taken in the last 72 hours show now that he's in the race, Republicans are taking a close look at the newcomer and like what they see:
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that Fred Thompson is enjoying a bounce from his formal entry into the Presidential race. In the race for the Republican Presidential Nomination, Thompson is on top for the first time since late July.In addition to the Rassumssen numbers, a new CBS poll has Thompson stalking Giuliani, narrowing a 30 point gap from last month to just a 5 point lead today - 27%-22%. Gallup gives Fred a 3% boost to 22%, trailing Giuliani by 12.
The former Tennessee Senator is currently the top choice for 26% of Likely Republican Primary Voters. Rudy Giuliani, who has been the frontrunner for most of the year, is close behind with support from 22%. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney earns the vote from 13% while 12% prefer Arizona Senator John McCain. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee remains atop the second tier at 6%.
And on the heels of the national numbers, a new Survey USA poll out of California show Giuliani the choice of 28% of Republicans with Fred breathing down his neck at 26%.
What these numbers show is that the race is still wide open and that anything can happen and that Thompson's entrance has certainly made things interesting.
I've got more on this story on my site.
