Thompson Closing in on Giuliani

Just five days into his official run for the presidency, former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson has moved within a percentage point of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani in a CNN popularity poll. Thompson won the support of  27% of registered Republicans, while Giuliani garnered 28%. With a 5-point margin of error factored in, neither candidate has a clear edge.

Thompson's biggest gains were among fellow southerners, although he also has strong support from evangelical Republicans, according to a CNN analyst. Giuliani takes the lead with GOP moderates, voters under 50, those in the Northeast and Midwest, and women. Other recent polls indicate Giuliani retains a 5 to 12 point lead over Thompson. (More Fred Thompson stories.)