All bets are off in the Republican presidential primary. Frontrunners become underdogs, longshots become contenders, and the winner at the end of the race may come down to the candidate with the best timing.
Arizona Sen. John McCain had the aura of a presidential nominee-in-waiting but ran out of money early on. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was the national frontrunner until McCain engineered an improbable comeback and a former Arkansas governor with a penchant for one-liners named Mike Huckabee gained ground.
Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson garnered some of his best reviews over the summer -- before he officially entered the race. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney lost his balance in the earliest contests in Iowa and New Hampshire but regained his footing in Michigan, where he was born.
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas boasts the fundraising prowess of a top-tier candidate but the poll numbers of an also-ran, followed by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, who dropped out of the race on Saturday.
As the candidates see-saw from state to state, Florida could end up picking the winner.
Inside are profiles of the Republican presidential candidates.
