Thompson Gains on Giuliani

Unannounced candidate polls second, ahead of McCain, Romney

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 12, 2007 11:16 AM CDT

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Thompson Gains on Giuliani — Republican presidential hopeful and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani greets supporters and patrons at a restaurant in Frontenac, Mo., Friday, June 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Associated Press)

Fred Thompson hasn't even declared his candidacy, but he's already gaining support in the race for the Republican nomination. Rudy Giuliani has the backing of 27% of likely voters in an LA Times/Bloomberg poll reported today, with Thompson just behind at 21%. The poll's director cautions that Thompson "has this allure, but he hasn't been tested yet."

Giuliani and Thompson comfortably lead John McCain (12%) and Mitt Romney (10%).Thompson is expected to formally announce next month, filling a void for the party's right wing, which appears to be fueling his quick rise in the polls. "They're all a little more liberal than I would expect the candidate for the Republican Party to be," said one voter. (Read more Fred Thompson stories.)