Who Is The Most Powerful Republican? (POLL)

In the wake of their election defeat, low favorability ratings in the polls and the increasingly intense skirmish between RNC Chair Michael Steele and conservative talk show king Rush Limbaugh, the fate of the Republicans has become a hot topic in political circles.

As HuffPost's Sam Stein noted on Monday, "the conservative movement and the Republican Party are in deep disarray -- in search of a galvanizing figure, clinging to traditional ideas, in favor of tactical combat over policy debate, and intensely concerned about the future."

In this power vacuum, who remains the biggest elephant in the GOP's tent?

Take our poll:

Quick Poll

Who's The Most Powerful Republican?

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

House Minority Leader John Boehner

Rush Limbaugh

Newt Gingrich

RNC Chair Michael Steele

John McCain

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Comments

[Urbanbarbie943]

10:19 PM on 03/05/2009

I have followed politics since I was 7. I am currently 37. As a little girl I was turned off from the GOP because they were exclusive, mean, and non- compassionate. In all of these years nothing has changed at all.

The Democratic platform includes, respects, and empowers. Currently Limbaugh is their leader and the speed of the leader is the speed of the gang.

[SlappHappy]

09:38 PM on 03/05/2009

EL RUSHBO!

[LibKitty]

09:01 PM on 03/05/2009

None of the above.

[FairTalk]

04:24 PM on 03/05/2009

None of the above. Here is my list...

1. The Gov of California

2. Mitt

3. Any of the moderate Republicans, like those from Maine, Va, and especially Indiana.

[autumn123]

07:07 PM on 03/05/2009

No, the question wasn't who was the best of the Republicans.... the question was "Who's The Most Powerful Republican?"

[cowman]

04:13 PM on 03/05/2009

Rush - he's the only one you can't say anything critical about and expect to remain in the party without apologizing for it.

[lwaldmann]

04:11 PM on 03/05/2009

I would have voted for Dennis Miller. Is he still working ?

Lary Waldman

[Mackmal1]

02:43 PM on 03/05/2009

The answer is none of these dorks...the most powerful repug is Ronald Reagan's name. Especially during campaign season.

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

06:07 PM on 03/05/2009

.....rather like Peron's name is to the Peronistas (Argentina......)! History will eventually debunk the aura assigned his reputation, and his "administration" will mark ironically the beginning of a long decline in the condition of the United States of America!

[katekid]

02:26 PM on 03/05/2009

Why isn't Joe the Bummer listed?

[chendri887]

01:08 PM on 03/05/2009

What a joke. The question should not be, "Who is the most powerful Republican?" It should be, "Why does the Republican Party even exist?" It's completely irrelevant, providing no solutions to the problems and concerns of most Americans.

[ocoee]

12:18 PM on 03/05/2009

rush is GOP's Godfather

[jsgaetano]

11:43 AM on 03/05/2009

Rush is the heart and soul of the GOP.

The Conservative Movement has it's head five feet under water, and Rush is an excellent anvil tied to them. Stay the Course!

[VOTER]

11:34 AM on 03/05/2009

The answer is Abraham Lincoln. There are no living Republican leaders.

Granted he was first a member of the Whig Party but joined the GOP as soon
as it was established.

Today, Abe represents all that today's Republican Party members do not.

[jme-SD]

11:22 AM on 03/05/2009

This list doesn't include the most powerful Republicans. The two Senators from Maine (Olympia Snow and Susan Collins) and Sen Spector are actually the most powerful because they chose not to be ditto heads. They have the most influence on whether the President's agenda passes in the Senate or whether the agenda is blocked with a fillibuster. The President was most focused on courting THEM to pass the stimulus - no question. These are the ones who can make deals that water down the Democrats agenda because they don't oppose all of it. When Al Franken joins the Senate - as it seems likely he will - they then can take turns being the 60th vote and give themselves plenty of cover also. They know better right now than to step out into the limelight, because it's not a time for common sense Republicans to hold center stage. It's always the ones who stay in the middle who have the real power. it would be great if they were defeated in primaries by conservative Republicans - it's the best the Democrats could hope for in order to take these Senate seats also.

[OrwellOhSix]

11:01 AM on 03/05/2009

Hands down: Jay Leno!!!!

[LisaO8]

10:16 AM on 03/05/2009

Alex P. Keaton