Following on the heels of the Marist poll a new
Gallup/USA poll also has McCain in second. Rudy 34%( up 2
pts.), McCain 18%( up 4 pts), Thompson 17%(down 1 pt.), Romney
14%(up 4) and Huckabee at 6%. On favorables/unfavorable Rudy is
55%-32%, McCain is 47%-34%, Thompson is 29-28%(28% never heard of
him), and Romney 28-31%(24% never heard of him). I suspect these
"never heard of him" folks are the "never vote" folks. Based on
this, Marist and Washington Post/ABC polls several things are
clear: Rudy is on a national level in a commanding position and
McCain seems have climbed back into second. Soon enough we'll see
if he can make a run at Rudy, get out of Iowa unscathed and make
his stand in NH.