" Powerful in Washington" (AP pushes bogus survey to hype GOP Congress)

[ProSense]

The famous not always the powerful in Washington

McCain ranks 3rd among senators; Sen. Clinton 41st

Tuesday, May 16, 2006; Posted: 3:01 p.m. EDT (19:01 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- 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.


more...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/16/congress.thepowerful.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Also here:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,195735,00.html


Does it matter that the Democrats are not the majority (mentioned nowhere in the story). If they were, where would the GOP members be? All the committees would be chaired by Democrats.



EDIT: COPYRIGHT. PLEASE POST ONLY 4 OR 5 PARAGRAPHS
FROM THE COPYRIGHTED NEWS SOURCE PER DU RULES.

[spag68]

1. I vote, It doesn't matter.

The real power in the Senate is a constantly moving coalition that has agendas we don't even think about.

[AX10]

2. Ted Kennedy should be in the top ten. He is a senior Senator...

with a proven track record and full resume.