ihearthuckabeeA new USA Today/Gallup poll shows former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee opening up a small lead over his competitors for the Republican presidential nomination.

Huckabee received the support of 25 percent of respondents in the poll, five percentage points ahead of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.  Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., received the support of 19 percent of respondents.

Former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., was fourth with 12 percent.  Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney received support from 9 percent of voters, and Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, earned 4 percent.

The poll is a reversal of a December poll that showed Giuliani leading his rivals, with Huckabee in second.

The poll was conducted Jan. 4-6, and covered 423 voters.  The margin of error was