In the world-turned-upside-department, the New York Times appears to be on the story before anyone else. Yes, the Times. To prove I’m not hallucinating, an excerpt:

“But then last night [the night of the debate] — we hadn’t even been thinking about him — all of a sudden it was clear he was the one,” said Mr. Berenberk, a retired teacher. “The bluntness, the forcefulness. He was really impressive.” Whether this was a new Fred Thompson, or just a sign of mirage-inducing campaign fatigue among voters, many people attending Mr. Thompson’s campaign rallies here on the day after the debate reported having similar revelations.