NEW in the Mayoral Matrix: “Do you favor Mayor Bloomberg’s five-borough taxi plan?”

Realignment

The latest Quinnipiac poll didn’t just kick mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner down the stairs — it also sent rival candidates named Bill out to raise more money on the strength of their rising numbers.

The poll showed 27 percent of likely voters in the Sept. 10 Democratic primary going for City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, 21 percent for Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and 20 percent for former city Comptroller Bill Thompson. If no candidate wins more than 40 percent of the vote, the two top vote-getters will enter a run-off.

True to his newfound hipster identity, Bill de Blasio downplayed his surging numbers and said he “always had faith” in his comeback, while Bill Thompson has stayed clear from publicly reacting.

But away from the cameras, the hopefuls appear to be moving to reap the financial rewards. On Monday night, de Blasio and Thompson were conspicuously absent from a Bronx mayoral forum on housing. Organizers said that Thompson had been expected to attend – his empty seat and name tag on the stage a reminder of that – but had opted out at the last minute. Thompson was attending a fundraiser, the forum’s moderator said. DeBlasio had been invited but did not show.

The candidates’ public schedule today also pointed to an outreach effort on steroids, with each slated to make six public appearances. Last week, when they were far behind, each had three activities on their agenda.

A worn-off looking Weiner, for his part, unexpectedly announced at the Bronx forum last night that about an hour into the debate, he had to leave early. He did not elaborate on why.