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Thompson Closing in on Giuliani

New candidate in dead heat with GOP front runner: CNN poll

By Josie Garthwaite, Newser User

Posted Sep 12, 2007 2:47 AM CDT

(Newser) – Just five days into his official run for the presidency, former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson has moved within a percentage point of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani in a CNN popularity poll. Thompson won the support of 27% of registered Republicans, while Giuliani garnered 28%. With a 5-point margin of error factored in, neither candidate has a clear edge.

Thompson's biggest gains were among fellow southerners, although he also has strong support from evangelical Republicans, according to a CNN analyst. Giuliani takes the lead with GOP moderates, voters under 50, those in the Northeast and Midwest, and women. Other recent polls indicate Giuliani retains a 5 to 12 point lead over Thompson.

[Images (8)]

[Videos (3)]

Republican Presidential hopeful and former Sen. Fred Thompson,R-Tenn. makes his remarks during a campaign stop Monday Sept. 10, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain) (Associated Press)

Republican Presidential hopeful and former Sen. Fred Thompson R-Tenn, makes his remarks during a campaign stop Monday Sept. 10, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. Looking on is his wife, Jeri , second for the right,... (Associated Press)

Republican Presidential hopeful and former Sen. Fred Thompson,R-Tenn., makes his remarks during a campaign stop Monday Sept. 10, 2007, in Columbia, S.C. Thompson said Monday that while Osama bin Laden... (Associated Press)

Suzanne Sapp, center, a native of Tennessee, now living in Greenville, S.C., cheers as Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson comes on stage during a campaign stop in Greenville, S.C., Monday,... (Associated Press)

People reach out to shake hands with Republican presidential hopeful, former U.S. Sen., Fred Thompson of Tennessee during a campaign stop at City Hall in Nashua, N.H., Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007.(AP Photo/Jim... (Associated Press)

Presidential hopeful, former U.S. Sen., Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., speaks to a crowd at the annual Seacoast Republican Women's chili fest during a campaign stop in Stratham, N.H., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007.(AP... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson makes a campaign stop in Greenville, S.C., Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Alex C. Hicks Jr.) (Associated Press)

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Fred on the issues (pundital (YouTube))

Fred Thompson talks about abortion (ArthurBranch77 (YouTube))

Fred Thompson Presidential Announcement on Tonight Show (miedim (YouTube))

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Thompson Closing in on Giuliani