Decision 2008: Presidential Power Rankings Week #23: McCain and Clinton remain on top and Thompson to join the 1st tier.

Here are this week's rankings.

Republicans:

1st: John McCain (steady) We thought we might have to switch Rudy and Mitt with McCain, but his numbers from ARG and Fred Thompson's announcement allowed McCain a 3rd week on top. If Romney doesn't fall from Thompson's announcement or Rudy gets better numbers in Iowa and NH we may have switch the 1st spot around.

2nd: Mitt Romney (steady) Romney still remains #1 in early states in many polls and his fundraising and publicity is skyrocketing. If Thompson hadn't of made his announcement this week we would have ranked him #1.

3rd Tied: Rudolph Giuliani (falling) this is the lowest position for Rudy since we included him in rankings. Rudy remains on top nationally, barely, but he is in 3rd in most early states. Rudy may be hurt by these early losses.

3rd Tied: Fred Thompson (rising) His announcement this week put him in a tie for 3rd, but not strong enough to make #1 or 2. Thompson hasn't even campaigned yet and he has double digit poll numbers.

5th: Newt Gingrich (falling) Gingrich had begun to fall rapidly with Mitt's surge, and Thompson's announcement. He still looks like a candidate though so dont count him out.

Democrats:

1st: Hillary Clinton (steady) Hillary still remains well ahead of her challengers nationally, but remains weak in Iowa, NH, and South Carolina.

She still remains barely #1 in NH and SC but trails by 13 points in Iowa and is in 3rd place. She is certainly no longer the nominee-to be.

2nd Tied: Barack Obama (falling) Obama still remains in the 20's nationally, but is falling apart in early states. He is in 2nd or 3rd in all of them and isn't carrying a one.

2nd Tied: John Edwards (rising) Polls in Iowa and NH are improving for Edwards and that earns him a tie for #2. Edwards now is in 2nd in NH and well ahead in Iowa.

4th: Bill Richardson (rising) New national polls show Richardson back on top of the 2nd tier. An ARG Iowa poll had him almost in the double digits. Could a spark be happening?

5th: Joe Biden (steady) Well his campaign still remains dead and hasn't recovered. Maybe next week's debate he can show he deserves to be in the 1st tier.