Fred Thompson gets nearly half the voters in a recent poll

Its in Tennessee, so yes there is the "favorite son" aspect. But its also indicative of how people view Fred Thompson once they know him.

Fred Thompson is by far the most popular potential presidential candidate among Tennessee Republican voters, with 45 percent of those surveyed making him their top choice, according to a poll released Monday. That the former GOP senator would get top billing in his home state is not a surprise.

What's surprising is his lead over possible opponents and the magnitude of support for a man who has only hinted at a run, said pollster Matt Towery of InsiderAdvantage.

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In a poll the group conducted for the Washington-based Southern Political Report newsletter, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the front-runner nationally among Republicans seeking the presidency next year, was listed by 15 percent as their top choice.

Next was former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 11 percent and Arizona Sen. John McCain at 10 percent.

"Fred Thompson is performing well in every poll in the sense he is unannounced," Towery said.

Courtesy of Bill Theobald, The Tennessean (Washington Bureau)