The American Spectator

The latest Newsweek poll has Thompson dropping by 7 pts from August (when he was a non-candidate) and now trailing Rudy by 15 pts. Overall Rudy's RCP average shows him with a 13.2 pt lead over Thompson. This mirrors early state polling averages which show Thompson in fourth in Iowa, fifth in New Hampshire, third in South Carolina, second in Florida, and third in Michigan. So maybe all those beltway pundits were right? The tough reviews both from national and state media coupled with the absence of vigorous campaigning have left Thompson's effort adrift. He had a good second debate but did little to capitalize on his performance afterward. Can he jump start his effort with an impressive performance on Meet the Press tomorrow? For a campaign that trashed the national media as irrelevant and out of touch with normal voters it would be ironic if Thompson got his mojo back with a visit to the quintessential Beltway opinion making venue.

UPDATE: And the Washington Post doesn't help Thompson any this morning. This poll puts him in third behind McCain. But this will likely be topic #1 with Russert-- a multiple convicted felon as a key supporter and private jet provider.