From a Giuliani strategy memo distributed to the press:

Voters responded to Fred Thompson’s September entry into the GOP Primary race with a smaller-than-expected announcement bounce. Typically an announcement will generate about a 10 point bounce. Senator Thompson’s bounce ranged from zero points to 8 points, but averaged less than 4 points — certainly not what was expected for a campaign that spent so much time preparing to get in the race.

Yes, but Thompson’s still ranging between 19 and 27 points in a four, perhaps five way field. That’s not exactly something to sneeze at, and I notice they didn’t include the Rasmussen daily tracking poll (with its automated questions) which Thompson has led every day since September 8. The lead has ranged from 2 to 10 points.