I've been reading your comments for a while and while I too hate this list, I think it's time we all gave up the nonsense and accepted the list of seven as true. Over the summer I rewatched all the seasons (as I guess most of us did) and came to a few conclusions that have been reinforced by the three episodes so far (as well as the previews for E4). What does this mean? Either I've watched way too much tv in my life or I'm following the writers path perfectly which means I'm totally wrong :(

My thoughts on the 7 so far:
1) Brett partridge is dead
2) bob kirkland is trying to kill red John for his own reasons, believes the fake list he had his homeland security buddies steal from Patrick is the real list and is killing off all the suspects to make sure he gets red John
3) bret stiles is too old, wouldn't harm a fly according to Patrick, seemed friendly enough with Patrick (yes there is the scene with Hightower I know) from the start and really seems to be a third wheel to the red John - Patrick dynamic
4) Reede smith doesn't have control of his temper, does not fit the physical description provided by multiple sources, etc.
5) Gale Bertram is methodical, an emotional loner, recites the poem, etc but like smith doesn't really fit the description and, if we are going to take heller at his word (never a good idea) wasn't introduced until the third season premier. Not ruling him out but marking him as least likely of the three front runners for me.
6) ray haffner fits everything we know or suspect so far. Might have been at the farm, best matches the physical description, was in the FBI and CBI so connections would abound, seemed to be charismatic enough to both lead a CBI team and have Bertram think he could handle Patrick. Might have let Patrick break up his team to watch him work. Still seems too crammed down our throat especially the hospital bed scene with Lisbon, and if hes leaving Lisbon alive as a potential crutch for Patrick (always worried about her) or test for his loyalty (kill her and we can be friends) then why try and sway her to come work for him and leave Patrick?
7) Tom Mcallister - has been my front runner from the start. Others have championed his cause better than I could, fits description well enough, has been there from the start, etc. oh wait and now we have the hunter quotes and the pigeon issue "get it off me...hate those things." almost feels like he's being fed to us but in every scene/episode he's been in, doesn't he seem to hang back ala Waldo and let others do things. No guarantees but like I said he's my front runner and I'm sticking with him...thoughts?