The American Spectator

1. The Washington Post-ABC news poll shows Romney 26%, Rudy 14%, Fred 13% and McCain now tied with Huckabee at 8%. The internals are even more interesting showing Romney gets credit for having worked the hardest (49%) and leading in honesty (21%). However, Rudy leads in strongest leader, experience and best chance to win in November. This shows the power of Woody Allen- 90%(well, 49% in this case) of life is showing up. Organization and effort count for a lot. On internals McCain leads in one category- best able to handle the situation in Iraq. Thompson comes in second in honesty and third or fourth in everything else. The good news for candidates other than Romney: if they work hard too their numbers may go up.

2. The Washington Post has an article on Jeri Thompson. It does confirm the degree to which she is involved in the campaign. It also suggests her "high powered GOP operative" image is overblown. At least according to the Post, her Washington experience lasted only five years at relatively low profile jobs. ( I think this is not just the Post being snide. None of the campaign rivals or unaffiliated consultant types who I spoke with when this all started knew of her or had dealt with her other than as the wife of Fred Thompson.) It does not appear that she ever worked on a campaign. As I wrote earlier, presidential politics is tough stuff and those without experience proceed at their peril.