[HoustonTech]

Taking another look at the Republican numbers the votes roughly match in my opinion the electability strength that each of the candidates would have against anyone of the likely Dems in the general election.

Fred Thompson at over 18,000 is IMO the most electable.

The second tier of electable candidates IMO would be a close tie among Giuliani, McCain, and Gingrich. Gringrich has the most of the three and at this stage would be my second choice in the primaries.

IMO the rest of the Republican field would be unelectable in the general election. (I know, I know, but I’m just giving my judgment. You are free to disagree.)

The only surprise to me is that Mike Huckabee with about 2,500 votes is close to the votes of those I would call second tier. I would have though his numbers would have been a smaller percentage.

[HoustonTech]

Correction: I should have listed Mitt Romney in the second tier. He certainly belongs there at least.