Fred Thompson (Republican) and Bill Richardson (Democrat) continue to ride high in the poll. Thompson has not yet declared, but has considerable strength in other national polls, above the majority of declared candidates. In the case of Richardson, Pajamas Media editors believe his strength in the Pajamas poll may be a leading indicator of potential support for the New Mexico Democrat in the general election.
On the question of which candidates get to be in the poll, Pajamas Media continues to receive requests from supporters of a long list of candidates to have their favorites included. Some of these candidates are quite well known, but others we have never even heard of. We want to be as open as possible, but we have to draw the line somewhere to keep our poll credible and to do so on an evenhanded basis. For that reason, some time ago Pajamas Media announced that our baseline for inclusion would be that the candidate must have one percent in the most recent Gallup Poll. That rule remains in force.
UPDATE: A new Gallup Poll (5/10-5/13) has been published showing further declines in second tier candidates and indicating an inevitable shake-out of sorts, perhaps earlier than anticipated. On the Republican side, Duncan Hunter, Jim Gilmore and Chuck Hagel are registering less than one half of one percent, Ron Paul at zero. On the Democratic side, Dennis Kucinich has fallen to less than one half of one percent, Mike Gravel to zero. The Pajamas Media poll will reflect these changes next week.
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