A familiar face reclaims the No. 1 spot.

These rankings are ordered by likelihood of winning the Republican primary and are based on a number of factors, including organization, money, buzz and polling. Click here for Democratic rankings.

REPUBLICANS

1.	John McCain	Arizona senator	Last Ranking: 2d
His two best states -- Michigan and South Carolina -- are on deck. He can afford a loss in South Carolina, but he needs to manage expectations carefully. He also needs to raise a lot of money very quickly and staff up in the Feb. 5 states. Almanac Profile

2.	Mike Huckabee	Former Arkansas governor	Last Ranking: 2a
Narrowcasting won't do, but the pivot to economic anxiety could be his hook after South Carolina, which, by the way, he needs to win.

3.	Rudy Giuliani	Former New York City mayor	Last Ranking: 2c
If only by dint of the DuHaime delegate strategy, he is alive. And his absentee ballot program in Florida is said to be excellent.

4.	Mitt Romney	Former Massachusetts governor	Last Ranking: 2b
He vaults back into contention if he wins Michigan.

5.	Fred Thompson	Former Tennessee senator	Last Ranking: 2e
He got 500 votes too many in Iowa to have an excuse to drop out.

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