Seriously, he is in 5th place in Rasmussen BEHIND HUCKABEE (LOL)
One single poll (Rasmussen) taken yesterday isn't the only indicator of where Romney stands in the national polls.
There are other polls and also trends to watch. Until a few days ago, Romney, McCain, and Huckabee were really the only candidates moving up in national polls. Romney's had a bit of a hiccup, but should recover. He dug himself out of the hole that Thompson dug for him when he announced and has only lost a little of that ground.
Thompson, on the other hand, is taking a beating in the national polls, dropping from his announcement high to lower than his pre-announcement highs. He's not only lost his announcement bounce, but has lost even some of his pre-announcement ground. He just started campaigning and running TV and radio ads and attending debates and he's actually lower than when he started all of that. Giuliani has also been taking a major beating.
“Thompson, on the other hand, is taking a beating in the national polls, dropping from his announcement high to lower than his pre-announcement highs.”
Horsefeathers!!!
www.rasmussenreports.com
3 day running poll... top tier polster.
“Rudy Giuliani remains precariously atop the pack with support from 20% of Likely Republican Primary Voters nationwide. Fred Thompson is close behind at 19% while John McCain enjoys a second straight day in third place with 14% of the vote.”
LLS
If Mitt hangs onto Iowa and New Hampshire he is in a good position, although with the compressed primary schedule we have to wait and see any impact.
If Rudy makes a respectable showing in New Hampshire (I think his campaign has done a good job playing down the necessity of Iowa for him) he will have the momentum needed for the super Tuesday big states that he needs to win.
But McCain is the one that seems to be increasing in all the States, and also seems to be doing the best against Hillary.
As for Fred, I just don't see his winning strategy anywhere. Even in South Carolina he it is becoming a much tighter race, and that is the one he absolutely needs to dominate (I don't think a close win will do it) if he has any hope of getting the nomination. The problem with only an early South Carolina win is Mitt will have the early state momentum, Rudy will have the big state appeal, and McCain may have a steady middle of the road appeal in all States. On the other hand if all Fred can muster in the early primaries is one state that is too little, too late for a win.
I have been following your graphs with great interest, and I really think the "Great Hope of Fred" is gone. As far as I can tell, he has not picked up a single supporter since he officially entered the race.