I predict the one who gains the most from this is Romney. Fred's base is not excited by Giuliani, and is quite unfond of McCain and Huckabee. That Al D'Amato left Team Fred for Team Mitt instead of Team Rudy might be an indication of things to come.

The only one of these guys giving HRC,BHO, or Edwards a run for their money in national polling is McCain. And as SC (the firewall state) went for him, does that indicate that primary voters (and the GOP establishment) are trending his way? Personally I'm hoping that's not the case -- I think Mitt or Huck would be the Dem's dream candidate...

Something to keep in mind: As a promiment senator, McCain has national name recognition, whereas Mitt and Huck have significantly less recognition outside Republican and political junkie circles.

Alan,

Don't discount the number of evangelicals who were Fred supporters, many of whom will be drawn to Huckabee. I am one, as was Joe Carter (who jumped the Thompson ship for the USS Huck a couple months ago).

JohnS--The GOP establishment still hates McCain. Listening to right wing talk radio, you'd think McCain-Huckabee is the equivalent of McGovern-Shriver

I can see Thompson's supporters splitting evenly between the big three: evangelicals to Huckabee (as Eric states), conservatives to Romney (if they believe his transformations), neoconservatives and conservatives who don't believe Romney to McCain. that of course leaves out Giuliani, who will probably be irrelevant after Florida. McCain's comeback has removed all the rationale for neocons to back Giuliani instead.