About three weeks ago, McCain had tumbled in the polls (he continues to) and Rudy Giulani's position as clear front runner in the '08 GOP race seemed fairly stable. Now his campaign frantically struggles to plug up the leaks that are springing up everywhere as the dam which held him in first place crumbles before them. Here are Giuliani's top 4 problems at the moment:

1. Fred Thompson
The inevitable entry of politician-turned-actor-turned-presidential-candidate Fred Thompson into 2008 race hurts every Republican candidate's chances, but espicially Giuliani because of his front runner status. The latest Rasmussen poll shows Thomson gaining a one point lead (28% to 27%) over Giuliani in a statistical dead heat. Thomson will announce his candidacy on July 4th.

2. Iraq Study Group
Apparently Giuliani was an original member of the Iraq Study Group, but quit after only 2 months, having failed to attend a single meeting (too busy giving million dollar speeches). The story has gotten considerable play in the MSM this past week, and Giuliani has now had to apologize for ever joining in the first place.

3. Staffer Indicted on Cocaine Charges
Last Tuesday, Giuliani's South Carolina campaign chairman, millionaire Thomas Ravenel, stepped down after being indicted on federal cocaine distribution charges. He is accused of buying less than 500 grams of cocaine to share of sell to friends in late 2005. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

4. Loyalty to Priest Accused of Molestation
Monsignor Alan Placa remains a paid consultant of Giuliani Partners, the law firm founded by the presidential candidate, despite being accused by a grand jury of sexually abusing children and coving up sexual abuse by priests. Placa has been a friend of Giuliani's since childhood, and continues to to be employed by him as a consultant.