A juggernaut ready to roll...

Political Roads has the story:

In a week where all the major candidates reported their fundraising success in the first quarter, the biggest news was Fred Thompson, who moved himself into Republican primary prominence in four short weeks. In the lastest survey, he jumped over the fading John McCain.

[snip]

The numbers:

REPUBLICANS: Rudy Giuliani, 29.3, Fred Thompson, 20.9, John McCain 18.2, Mitt Romney 16.6, Newt Gingrich 4.0.

Gary Gross notes that Thompson has put together a campaign staff:

Fred Thompson, the “Law & Order” actor and former senator from Tennessee, has moved beyond pondering a bid for the White House and begun assembling the nucleus of a campaign should he decide to run, according to people involved in the effort. Thompson has not yet decided to seek the Republican presidential nomination. But “he is getting more serious every day,” said an adviser familiar with Thompson’s plans.

Mr. Gross goes on to say that if Thompson throws his hat in the race, it will be a 2-man race between him and Giuliani. While I don't doubt that, given that Thompson is already #2 and hasn't even officially thrown his hat in the ring, you can look to him to rise to #1 in short order after announcing his candidacy.