Here's a quick addendum that Republican political junkies might find interesting to Marc's post showing Rudy Giuiliani and Fred Thompson in a statistical dead heat : a major X-factor in the campaign dynamic is that Mitt Romney still has the lead in New Hampshire and Iowa polls. Most recently, a New Hampshire poll conducted after last week’s Republican debate had Romney 28%, Giuliani 20%, McCain 20%, and Thompson 11%.
However, with the compressed primary schedule this year, there is some question as to whether early primary/caucus wins will provide the same amount of bounce they have in previous years.
Ah, memories of the '92 Perot boomlet that put him ahead of Clinton and Bush for 15 minutes.
Seriously, Thompson could benefit greatly by a possible Bloomberg independent candidacy that would suck plenty of support away from Guiliani.
As for Bloomberg, if it means the first Jewish president won't be Joe Leiberman, it's all good.