1. Let's attribute Cain's recent surge in the polls to a combination of several factors:
a. He's a good guy, people like him, and he gave a GREAT speech in Florida.
b. He's benefitted from Perry's rapid implosion
c. He's picked up some Bachmann voters..a min-bandwagon effect.
d. Some Palin supporters may have figured she's not running, and gone for Cain
2. Mitt's gone back into 1st place, but without gaining ANY support. If he can't get into the 40's over the next 4-6 weeks...he's finished.
3. Perry has the next month to show that he can turn it around, otherwise he's also done.
4. If Mitt and Perry noth washout, then look for Palin to get in within 4-6 weeks..she would probably immediately be the front runner.
That’s a whole month on October and middle of November. Primaries are in January !
She doesn't have that long -- the early primaries will require her to declare her candidacy before the end of this month. She has three weeks to do it.