Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

Fred Thompson is the clear winner of the latest edition of the online "straw poll" at GOP STraw Polls. With more than 9,300 votes cast, Thompson was leading Rudy Giuliani 38 percent to 16 percent, with Mitt Romney in third place at 13 percent, followed by Newt Gingrich (11 percent), and Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo both at 5 percent. "None," at 4.3 percent, actually was leading John McCain at 3.3 percent.

More bad news for McCain: He has the second-lowest "acceptability" rating among participants in the straw poll - only former New York Gov. George Pataki, who isn't yet running, was considered less "acceptable." Thompson had the highest "acceptability" rating, with only Gincrich close.