Political Bites: Take me to your leader

Who is the voice of the Republican Party? According to a new USA TODAY/Gallup poll, no one, really.

When asked to name "the main person" who speaks for the GOP, 52 percent couldn't think of single name. And those who could think of a name came up with someone who isn't even a politician:

...the top response was radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh (13%), followed in order by former vice president Dick Cheney, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former House speaker Newt Gingrich. Former president George W. Bush ranked fifth, at 3%.

Notice a pattern? (Hint: Old. White. Male.) Some Republicans realize that the party needs to change with the times. Ed Gillespie, an ex-White House counselor for former President George W. Bush told USA TODAY that the GOP "cannot be a party of balding white guys." No wonder Republicans think Gov. Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air.

But what about Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, with his snappy quips and talk of hip-hop makeovers? Wouldn't he be the logical choice for leader of the (New) Grand Old Party? According to the poll, an underwhelming 1 percent said Steele was the voice for Republicans.

Crunching the numbers: Are President Obama's stratospheric poll numbers finally coming back to earth? A recent Rasmussen poll shows that 45 percent of voters trust Republicans more than Democrats to handle economic issues, marking "the first time in over two years of polling that the GOP has held the advantage on this issue." In a separate Rasmussen poll, 81 percent of voters consider the economy the most important issue to them. Bad news for the president, as a Gallup poll shows that 51 percent of Americans disapprove of how Obama is controlling (or not controlling) federal spending.

Show us the money: AP reports that the White House is proposing pay limits for executives at Wall Street firms that are receiving government bailout funds. The administration is appointing a "special master" to oversee compensation who would have the power to turn down overly generous pay packages for executives.

This comes on the heels of Obama pitch for a "pay-as-you-go" budget plan for Congress, in an attempt to rein in the ballooning national debt. Under this plan, Congress can only spend money if it saves (aka, "cuts") money elsewhere in the budget. However, House GOP leader John Boehner dismissed the plan, calling it "more rhetoric and gimmicks."

Cash in that clunker: Still driving around in that '89 beater with the dent in the passenger-side door? Good news may be heading your way: Tuesday, the House passed the "cash for clunkers" bill that would let you trade in your old car for a voucher worth up to $4,500 toward a more fuel-efficient car. The Senate has an alternative version of the bill that requires higher mpg standards. (Read the fine print of both plans from AP here).

- Lili Ladaga

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