The only problem is, the poll says no such thing. He may have siphoned off some Rudy support when he first announced, but where else would it come from? Since then, Thompson is up 2 points anad Rudy is up 7 points. So Thompson's support cannot possibly be coming from Giuliani. Who's down? McCain. There goes your theory.
Thompson is a stalking horse. He announced in order to keep any other conservative from getting traction. He might get in if McCain folds, but not likely
He knows he cannot win, even if the groveling, rabid crusaders here at FR do not.
Give it up. You have shown you have no principles and no moral core. So stop insulting those who do.
You are a bit inaccurate:
When Thompson made his ‘announcement,’ all his initial support appears to have come from Rudy. Since then Thompson LOST (not gained) 2 points and McCain lost 6. All but one of those 8 points appear to have gone to Rudy. Thompson’s remaining 10 points are likely a subset of the original 12, and are thus from Rudy.
If I understand your theory, Thompson is working for Rudy. Intriguing possibility. That would require believing that the GOP establishment acts in its own best interest, a premise not easily swallowed.