it won't matter whose base Thompson eats into, as long as the party is saved from the liberal with 33% support.
"it won't matter whose base Thompson eats into..."
Obviously it matters a great deal. How could it not? If Thompson is more of a threat to the others than he is to Rudy how does that hurt Rudy?
Given the large field the winner of many state primaries could poll in the 30s. Now I do expect Hunter and some of the other marginal candidates to drop but if Romney, McCain, Giuliani, Newt, and/or Thompson are in to the last that will assure a Giuliani victory since the others are going after the same voters.