“Rudy/Romney needs McCain’s supporters.”
In terms of the issues, Sen. McCain is closer to Sen. Thompson, don’t you think? I think that the greatest number who went to other candidates would go to Sen. Thompson.
sitetest
Most people I know view McCain as their second or third choice.
Where his votes, among people ranking him #1 will go, I have no idea.
The two positives about Senator McCain is that he is pro-life and pro-defense.
Assuming that both of those are important to his supporters, then they could not go to Giuliani who is a declared anti-lifer. All Republicans (except Paul) claim to be pro-Defense.
Romney’s support of the life issue is political opportunism, and most know that.
Thompson needs to make a statement, though. He needs things to break his way and to get a big positive in the news this week. If he does, then I think McCain’s supporters go his way. Otherwise, they go to the entire group except Giuliani and Paul. (And Tancredo who announces his quitting the campaign today, I think.)