Buried in a new batch of American Research Group polls released today is an intriguing number: Former Senator Fred Thompson, who's considering entering the Presidential race, would edge out Mitt Romney for third place in Iowa. The poll finds that Rudy Giuliani and John McCain are tied for first place at 29% each, while Thompson is in third with 12% and Romney is in fourth with 10%.

The number is potentially troublesome for Romney, because if Thompson were to enter the campaign then he would be grabbing for the mantle of the only real conservative in the race — the same niche that Romney is vying for.