One of Fred Thompson’s associates offers this take on the result of the camapign launch: “If all the other campaigns are seeing the things we’re seeing – stuff like the Rasmussen tracking poll (where Thompson has led for three days, and today is up 28 percent to 19 percent for Rudy) – then they may be thinking they have to hit Fred now before he’s got a whole head of steam.”

On the flap with the Romney campaign over PhoneyFred.org: “Look, we’re standing between him and second place, and he’s gotta take us out.”

“You know, he’s spending millions, and for most of the summer he’s been lapped in the polls by an actor and a couple of volunteers who aren’t spending a dime… I don’t know how much stock to put in the [national] polls, but one thing has been consistent is that Romney keeps getting between nine and 11 percent. But maybe he likes that. He’s all about return on investment, and I guess he’s always left with his 10 percent dividend.”

On the disgruntled, unused would-be staffers quoted in the Novak column: “Some of what these guys could do didn’t match up with what we needed, or not necessarily when we needed it, and it just didn’t work out… There were some bruised egos.”

On the crowds at early events: “Let’s see what happens when he goes to the University of Florida this weekend.” Thompson is attending the University of Tennessee-University of Florida game this Saturday in Gainesville.

I note that Thompson will be attending a gun show at The Lakeland Center, perhaps reinforcing the message that he’s the leading candidate who has no major past gripes or disagreements with the National Rifle Association and gun owners in general. The contrast is sharpest with Giuliani, of course.