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DC's 50 Most Powerful People

Eric Cantor, Mitch McConnell top the list

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 22, 2012 4:39 PM CST

(Newser) – Who are the real power brokers in Washington? GQ names the top 50 in its biennial list of the most powerful people in DC—although, the magazine notes, "People with the last names Obama and Biden not included." The top five:

  • Eric Cantor: The House majority leader is definitely the Democrats' least favorite Republican; you can thank him for Washington's hyper-partisanship and inability to compromise. GQ notes that he is widely expected to follow—or even push aside—John Boehner as speaker of the House.
  • Mitch McConnell: "Even Cantor has to go through this guy eventually," thanks to his position as Senate minority leader.

  • David Plouffe: He's come a long way—from manager of Obama's long-shot campaign to the president's senior adviser—and is now the guy Obama goes to whenever he has to make a tough decision.
  • Leon Panetta: Obama convinced the semi-retired Panetta to run the CIA, then made him secretary of defense after the successful Osama bin Laden raid.
  • Hillary Clinton: She had a hand in the Arab Spring and Anwar al-Awlaki's killing, all while traveling to almost 50 countries last year. Even those who are the most loyal to Obama respect her, an aide says.
Click for the full list.

Hillary Clinton listens to a question during a press conference with Algerian Foreign Minister at the State Department in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2012.
Hillary Clinton listens to a question during a press conference with Algerian Foreign Minister at the State Department in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2012.   (Getty Images)
Eric Cantor (R-VA) make remarks during a brief news conference after a House GOP caucus meeting at the US Capitol December 19, 2011 in Washington, DC.
Eric Cantor (R-VA) make remarks during a brief news conference after a House GOP caucus meeting at the US Capitol December 19, 2011 in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
Mitch McConnell speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Naypyidaw on January 17, 2012.
Mitch McConnell speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Naypyidaw on January 17, 2012.   (Getty Images)
In this photo released by FOX, White House Senior Adviser David Plouffe talks about the averted government shutdown on FOX News Sunday in Washington Sunday, April 10, 2011.
In this photo released by FOX, White House Senior Adviser David Plouffe talks about the averted government shutdown on FOX News Sunday in Washington Sunday, April 10, 2011.   (AP Photo/FOX, Freddie Lee)
In this Jan. 5, 2012 file photo, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is seen at the Pentagon.
In this Jan. 5, 2012 file photo, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is seen at the Pentagon.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
toeser
Jan 23, 2012 7:41 AM CST
To not have Harry Reid on this list is beyond absurd.  It completely ignores the happenings of the last 3 years.  I hate his guts, but he is damn powerful.
MDD
Jan 22, 2012 5:16 PM CST
Leon Panetta is such a Joke.... Mr. Magoo.... Next joke is Ret. Gen. Claper of ONI.. God help us!!
NationalSovereignty
Jan 22, 2012 5:01 PM CST
The list should read 50 most powerful people in Washington: :1 General Electric who funded Obama's election along with Romney. They also pay %0 is taxes and own Raytheon who recieved almost a trillion dollars in weapons contracts from the Obama admin. 2: Goldman Sachs Top donator to the Obama campaign in total: $1,013,091 3: Lehman Brothers: Whom files bankruptcy and gets bailed out by the government, with no regulations or stipulations of contract. 4: JP Morgan & Chase: whom own large parts of the federal reserve and donate to popular campaigns like Obama and Romney.

 
Hillary Clinton • politics • Washington DC • Mitch McConnell • David Plouffe • Washington, DC • Leon Panetta • Eric Cantor • politicians • political leaders

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