"This extended gestation period of the Thompson campaign is getting a little old, " Jeffe says.

NPR: Thompson's 'Test' Campaign Reports $3.4 Million

Once he declares, Jeffe says, the water that Thompson has been testing could get a whole lot rougher.

NPR: Thompson's 'Test' Campaign Reports $3.4 Million

Professor SHERRY BEBITCH JEFFE (Political Analyst, University of Southern California): Good morning, Renee.

NPR: California Goes for Clinton and McCain

We're joined by USC Political Analyst Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, who's in Burbank.

NPR: California Goes for Clinton and McCain

Political analyst Sherry Bebitch Jeffe of the University of Southern California says that, as Thompson pushed his official campaign announcement back from July 4 to around Labor Day, he has seemed to lose momentum.

NPR: Thompson's 'Test' Campaign Reports $3.4 Million

Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, of the Claremont graduate school, speculates that his real reason for running was to put down a marker for 2001, when term-limits make him leave the state's Senate and Mr Riordan will no longer be eligible for the mayor's job.

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