Who is the real leader of today's Republican Party?

Who gets to establish the daily talking points and set the policy agenda the GOP will pursue these days? Some say Rush Limbaugh is the Party Boss, and to a lesser degree Glenn Beck fills in the agenda. Is Rush the GOP Boss?

What Rush says on his radio show does seem to become that day’s GOP talking points. And there certainly doesn’t seem to be anyone in the party leadership willing to tell Rush to pipe down or change his tune. All who have attempted to do so have, within a day, been forced to bow before Rush and beg forgiveness, or as he loves to say, “Bend over and grab their ankles.” RNC Chairman Michael Steele had to do so for the high crime of telling the truth. Likewise the #2 Republican in the House, Eric Cantor. House Minority Leader John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell either agree with everything Rush says or don’t dare challenge him.

When Party faithful and senior statesman Colin Powell refused to acknowledge Rush’s absolute leadership, Rush raged, “What Colin Powell needs to do is close the loop and become a Democrat instead of claiming to be a Republican interested in changing the Republican Party. He’s not. He’s a full-fledged Democrat.”