Interesting. If Thompson is out of the mix, it's close between Romney and Giuliani.

I'm reserving judgment until next week when we vote in South Carolina, but my main criteria are the candidate should have a legitimate chance at winning the primary here, the nomination, and the general election.

Romney and Giuliani are pulling out of the state, so I will have to eliminate them from consideration. Thompson, McCain, and Huckabee are in the mix here. Paul is "in the mix," too, but obviously only where psychotropic pharmaceuticals are concerned . . .

I should note that since its inception in 1980, no Republican has won the nomination without first winning the SC primary. It was uncontested in 1984 and 2004.

For the life of me I don't get the conservative adoration of Thompson. It's popular amongst some of you to call Obama an empty suit, this guy is am empty baggy suit for Gods's sake. I've watched several of the Republcian debates and never has someone look so disinterested in a job interview as this guy.

Somebody please enlighten me about the attraction. I can understand Romney based on his experience. I happen to like McCain and would probably vote for him against Hillary. I can see Hucakbee from the evangelicals perspective. Rudi from the nutball fear perspective. But Thomson! I don't get it.

But Thomson! I don't get it.

They think he's Reagan, and Reagan is God.

(Plus they loved him in Baby's Day Out)

Interesting how the numbers differ greatly between "Who would you like to see" and "Who do you think the nominee will be."

I don't understand why so many people are counting Thompson out already. So we've had two primaries already and a couple caucuses - big deal. The vast, vast majority of Americans haven't voted yet, and many are still undecided. It seems awfully early to drop out of the race (unless your name is Ron Paul).

I do think SC will be telling, though.