Haley Barbour -- the most powerful Republican in politics

Barbour, who runs the Republican Governors Association, has more money to spend on the 2010 elections – $40 million – than any other GOP leader around. And in private, numerous Republicans describe Barbour as the de facto chairman of the party.

It’s not just because he controls the RGA kitty but rather it’s due to close relationships with everyone who matters in national GOP politics—operatives like Karl Rove, Ed Gillespie and other top Republicans running or raising cash for a network of outside political groups. Together, these groups are essential to Republican hopes of regaining power because Democrats are cleaning their clocks through more traditional fundraising efforts…

“You never had the sense that Haley Barbour didn’t have control of the situation,” Colorado GOP Chairman Dick Wadhams told POLITICO. “In terms of his political impact, governorships in 2010 are even more important than most cycles because of the redistricting that will occur in 2011 for 2012 and beyond. So the fact that he’s raised massive amounts of money at the RGA to help elect Republican governors will have an impact way beyond the 2010 election.”