A Rudy guy in Iowa e-mailed me this yesterday (you know, when Hillary was still inevitable!):

Hi Rich,
If Hillary can stage a knockout and wrap up the nomination after Iowa and New Hampshire this will REALLY help Rudy in the later January primaries and on February 5th, as Independent voters, if they are going to vote in a primary will likely vote where it makes a difference, and the GOP primary would be the only game in town.
This is from Michael Barone, the most knowledgeable person in the U.S. on demographics, and local politics.
It’s been my experience the people I’m getting to support Rudy personally are NOT registered Republicans. They’re Independents.
It also explains why the Rasmussen Poll always shows a tighter race than Gallup, Fox, CNN, Zogby. Rasmussen ONLY samples Republicans, which overstates Fred Thompson’s support, since Independents are NOT likely to support Fred.
It’s important, in my opinion, for Rudy to finish at least a strong second in Iowa and WIN in New Hampshire and South Carolina.