For the first time in any national poll, former Senator has taken over first place in the Republican Presidential race, according to Rasmussen Reports:

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson earning support from 28% of Likely Republican Primary Voters. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani attracts support from 27%. While Thompson's one-point edge is statistically insignificant, it is the first time all year that anybody but Giuliani has been on top in Rasmussen Reports polling. A week ago, Thompson and Giuliani were tied at 24%.

It remains an open question as to how Thompson will hold up once he actually enters the campaign and has to compete directly with other candidates. To date, he retains the allure of the new kid in town while GOP voters already know the things they don't like about the others. Still, Thompson's rise to the top provides a telling measure of how the other GOP hopefuls have failed to capture the imagination of the party they hope to lead.

The full report is at the above link.

Following the leaders are McCain and Romney at 10% each, while Brownback and Huckabee trail with only 2% apiece, although no one else musters as much as 1% support. (Note this is the first week Gingrich is off the list - he was removed due to his recent statements that a run is becoming unlikely).

It's a huge statement for Thompson, who hasn't even made his formal declaration yet. Naturally, it may be easier to attract support from outside the active campaign, where one avoids knocking heads with the other candidates, having the organization tested, and potential voters can project their personal wishes upon the candidacy. Still, he "came from nowhere" to compete with the two "pre-season" frontrunners and the guy who collected nearly $25 million in the 1st quarter, and has rocketed to the top of the list without firing a shot, so to speak.

It's time for the so-called "second-tier" candidates - Brownback, Huckabee, Hunter, Gilmore, Tommy Thompson, Tancredo, and Paul - to wake up and smell the coffee. Their personal ego trips are becoming a long national nightmare. All they are accomplishing (besides making themselves look foolish, of course) is wasting time in debates which should be divided among the serious candidates.

If these losers won't withdraw on their own, debate sponsors should simply not invite them to any more fora.