Posted on 05/16/2006 5:00:47 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
The best-known members of Congress aren't necessarily the most powerful. The Democrats' last presidential candidate, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, for example, is ranked 61st in terms of clout among the Senate's 100 members, according to a new analysis.
A much junior colleague and likely competitor for the party's White House nomination in 2008, New York Sen. and former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, ranks 41st.
Both are well behind lesser-known Republican Reps. Jerry Lewis of California and Don Young of Alaska, respectively chairmen of the House Appropriations and Transportation committees and listed as the third and fourth most powerful House members.
The survey, which ranks every member of Congress based on very Washington wonk criteria - committee and leadership positions, political influence and legislative activity - puts Republican John McCain of Arizona as the third most powerful senator.
Ahead of him are Majority Leader Bill Frist, who's vying with McCain for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008, followed by Pennsylvania's Arlen Specter, the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The only Democrat to make the top 10 Senate list was Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, who placed fifth.
Among others with possible presidential aspirations, Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania was 12th, Joe Biden, D-Del., was 28th, George Allen, R-Va., was 42nd, Russ Feingold, D-Wis., was 82nd, and Evan Bayh, D-Ind., was 89th.
The rankings were put together by Knowlegis, a company that provides services and software for government relations professionals. Limited to activities in 2005, the rankings are out of date in at least one case.
Soon-to-be-retired Tom DeLay, R-Texas, was listed as the second most powerful member of the House, behind Republican Speaker Dennis Hastert. DeLay stepped down as majority leader last fall after being indicted in an investigation into alleged illegal use of campaign funds. He has announced he will resign from the House in June after several members of his staff became embroiled in lobbying scandals.
California Rep. Nancy Pelosi was the top-ranked Democrat in the House as minority leader. She placed eighth on the list of most powerful House members.
Specter, biggest fool.
I know, this doesn't make me feel any good.
You have to show up to work to have any clout!
In fact if the 'Pubs were smart they'd hold a vote every day just before the evening news.
While it is true that they all have only one vote, much of their real power derives from committee assignments, particularly chairmanships since they can greatly influence the fate and the contents of legislation before they even reach the floor. Specter's influence, for example, derives from two factors - first, as one of the group of RINOs, they can threaten to thwart any actual conservative bill unless it is gutted to their specifications and second, as head of the Judiciary committee he sets the agenda on judicial confirmations, including whether hearings are even scheduled as well as their duration.
If those two are the salvation of the Republican party, then say hello to Senate Majority leader Reid, and Speaker of the House Pelosi.
Its more then that.
Alot more.
Like boatloads of pork, and chairmanships.
Notice whose powerful on the house side and what they do, dole out taxpayer money to other folks so they can get their way.
I'm thinking Specter has the full copy of Bush's National Guard service record stashed away somewhere.
That sent shivers down my spine!
When Clinton was President, it was all about principles.
Now that it's a Republican in the White House and (allegedly) Republican majorities in the Senate and House it's all about Party.
L
The whole bloody thing is geting a little beyond me.
I thought a Republican Prez, and GOP majorities in the House and Senate would make life easier.
Looks like I was wrong bigtime!
When it comes to the Senate everyone of those boys and girls is just as clueless as the other. And when it comes to arrogance I do not think you could separate either, although McCain and Kerry may be at the top because of their failed candidacies.
Who the hell voted for these people
Specter should be stripped of his chairmanship if Santorum is defeated.
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