Number Six with a Bullet

Top political reporters Marc Ambinder and Chuck Todd are out with their latest ranking of the 2008 GOP race and Rep. Ron Paul has been bumped up to sixth place (out of 10).

He has $3 million, an extremely aggressive Internet base, and seems to be angling for an Ames surprise. A plugged-in GOPer (Patrick Ruffini) thinks he'll place second. On the other hand, Ruffini also thought Paul would raise twice what he raised last quarter. One wonders if all of us slightly overestimate his Internet prowess.

I'd add that it's not just Ruffini saying that—Paul's campaign is talking about a top three finish.

A brief history. Two weeks ago Paul was ranked eighth:

He has the cash on hand to stay in the race, and an online supporter network that is not going anywhere.

In May Paul was slotted in 12th place with this explanation:

Just please stop e-mailing us.

The continued strength of Rudy Giuliani, the implosion of John McCain, the popularity of Ron Paul—those have been the first, second, and third biggest surprises for the 2008 reporting class.