Fred Thompson's impending entry into the GOP presidential race is already starting to effect the national polls. This morning, the most recent Rasmussen tracking poll was released and it shows a wild swing from last week:
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) remains on top, but his support has slipped to 23%. That's down two points from a week ago and is his lowest level of support all year.
...
Thompson, who just formed an exploratory committee and is the newest face in the race, immediately moved into second place. With 17% support, he is within six points of the frontrunner. That's closer than anybody has been to Giuliani in 20 consecutive weekly polls.
...
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is the top choice for 15% of those likely to vote in a GOP primary. That's little changed from the last couple of weeks and keeps him a single-point ahead of Arizona Senator John McCain who is preferred by 14%.
McCain is now in fourth place and I think we can now say that McCain is not a frontrunner. Now I'm really curious about how his fundraising is going. McCain would still have been struggling even without the immigration amnesty plan, but now it's just the last straw.This is the first Rasmussen where Romney has lost ground since March when he was at 10%. Romney is still in third place but is now behind Thompson, and ahead of McCain.
Giuliani, as noted, is at the lowest point all year and is now where John McCain was near the end of January. Not a comfortable place to be at all.
And as for Fred, this was expected and he is still polling at a discount without having made his formal announcement. So far he matches up best against Hillary but still trails by 3 points. About the same level as John McCain but a little behind how Rudy matches up.
This is about what I expected would happen, just not this fast.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 3)
16. Kim...so glad YOU are not ONE SIDED. So glad you would not try to impose your beliefs on anyone else too..that would be like the pot calling the kettle black wouldnt it? Oh wait.
Wilson at 9:13PM on Jun 5th 2007
17. Rudy's done. No comeback for him via the presidential race. If he like national politics, he should try for Congress (House or Senate) or wait for a top-notch appointment, if Republicans take The White House in 2008.
T Lassoc at 9:35PM on Jun 5th 2007
18. FOR #11-- IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW FRED THOMPSON WAS A FORMER SENATOR.AND AS FAR AS BEING AND ACTOR ONE OF THE BEST PRESIDENTS WE EVER HAD WAS AN ACTOR. WONDER IF YOU KNOW WHO THAT WAS. DUH!NO WE DON'T NEED A HILLARY CLINTON OR A BARACK OBAMA. I'M AFRAID TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY NOW AS IT IS WITH ALL THE BLACKS THINKING THAT WE OWE THEM SOMETHING,WITH A BLACK PRESIDENT IT WILL BE WORSE THAN EVER.ALREADY HE IS PUTTING IDEAS OF RIOTING IN THEIR HEADS BECAUSE OF THE HURRICANE IN NEW ORLEANS.WHY IS IT THERE ARE HURRICANES ALL OVER THE WORLD BUT YOU NEVER HEAR ANYONE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT.THAT THEY WEREN'T BEING HELPED. MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE THE CHURCH INVOLVED WITH THE STATE IT WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE.ITS GETTING THATS IT'S ALMOST A SIN ANYMORE TO BELIEVE IN GOD.
lee at 10:08PM on Jun 5th 2007
19. How about Thompson/Brownback? Or Thompson/McCain for that matter? Just thinkin' ahead...
Don Naylor at 10:55PM on Jun 5th 2007
20. Yeah, you guys go ahead and vote for a man WITH CANCER and a LOBBYIST for 17 years. Great choice, just because you're used to seeing him every week on TV.
Be a Patriot and vote for Ron Paul. Save our country.
Cameron at 12:19AM on Jun 6th 2007
21. Perhaps I underestimate the populist Thompson, but I still bet the best hope for the GOP is Rudy. The former mayor truly reflects the "big tent" theory that is so important to the survival of the republican party. Inroads into the vast diverse culture that is America should be welcomed by the party. And I firmly believe republican dogma can be a real choice to millions if the welcome mat is bestowed - honestly and without reservation.
Sean at 11:48PM on Jun 5th 2007
22. six years of running the gov. putting big corps. and religeon ahead of the people who really make this country work has been a total disaster. a bunch of thieves and liars in business and whacko's on the religeous right have all but destroyed us. i only hope we can survive til 2008 when this administration is finally over. we should make it a national holiday.
bobby at 11:45PM on Jun 5th 2007
23. He is for gun rights and executions of prisioners who deserve to die.
Lou Bon at 11:48PM on Jun 5th 2007
24. lee reagan wasent really president he was just acting
bobby at 11:50PM on Jun 5th 2007
25. This poll is a sham, they only used the top names in there eyes. Ron Paul was not even given as a choice. Look it up.
BTW, Thompson will overtake Rudy, Rudy is not a republican. He is a moderate Democrate.
Bryan at 12:14AM on Jun 6th 2007
26. Fred Thompson? Has everyone lost their minds. The next President will be facing some of the most difficult tasks this country has ever seen. Repairing our releationships with the world community, facing our role in global climate change, addressing this counrty greatest national debt EVER (Thanks Bush)Just to name a very few. Do we really want someone else in office whose only qualifications are that they "Tell it like it is." I seem to remember Bush saying that a time or two and we all know how that turned out. Why not let all of Hollywood run this country? Arnie in CA maybe Quentin Tarantino in FL? I would sooner vote for Angelina Jolie for President she might be a nut but at least she has a conscience!
S.Walkosak at 12:22AM on Jun 6th 2007
27. The radical right loves Fred because he "looks" Presidential. Now with the outting of his young, very young, very young wife, he is the perfect characture of a dirty old man with his bimbo. Think repubs will continue to love this guy?
Betty at 1:13AM on Jun 6th 2007
28. Hooray for Thompson!! He can indeed win over the rest of the flock!!
Sam Gimelli at 6:35AM on Jun 6th 2007
29. Ron Paul will get my vote over Fred. Please visit my page at: http://www.myspace.com/globalwarmingtakeaction to understand why you should not vote for Hillary, Mitt, Mcain, Obama, Fred T., Rudy, Edwards, and a host of other candidates. Watch the first video that comes up and it will explain everything you need to know. Thanks!
Anthony at 8:45AM on Jun 6th 2007
30. Never forget September 11. Go Guiliani!!!!!! Visit me at www.ocalafamilyrealty.com
jen lee at 9:29AM on Jun 6th 2007