Sen. John McCain of Arizona is the most influential player in the Republican Party, according to a new Harris Poll out Thursday.

Sixty-four percent of the 2,276 adults surveyed nationwide said McCain is influential in steering the direction of the Republican Party, a 14-percentage-point edge over his closest rivals: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and radio host Rush Limbaugh, both of whom were rated as influential by 50 percent all of those polled.

Even among just the Republican polled, McCain ran away from the field, getting picked by 68 percent. Only former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was also picked as influential by at least 60 percent of Republicans.

Among just Republicans, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was selected as the third most influential, getting picked by 59 percent. Gingrich placed fourth with 57 percent, while Limbaugh and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani tied for fifth with 56 percent.

Only 31 percent of Republicans polled said Michael Steele, the party's national chairman, is influential within the GOP.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is seen as influential to 48 percent of Republicans while House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio was selected by 42 percent.

The Arizona Republic is a member of the Politico Network.