Senator-Elect Ayotte “Rising Power Player in New Congress”

Real Clear Politics has a top 10 list of the rising power players in the new Congress.  She ranks in at number 3 joining such company as Marco Rubio (#1) and Rob Portman (#5).  Here is the reasoning behind their pick including her being one of only 5 Republican woman Senators, being one of a few Republican women to win in their bids for elective office, as well as the thumpin’ that Hodes received on his way to retirement.

Here is what they had to say about her political role and the 2012 Primary.

Perhaps more importantly, Ayotte’s rising influence in the Republican Senate caucus (and in the party overall) will be determined by the fact she hails from the nation’s first primary state. Ayotte may or may not take a high profile publicly over the next two years, but she will undoubtedly play a key role behind the scenes, as the representative of one of the party’s most influential constituencies. As the 2012 race kicks into gear early next year, her endorsement will likely be among the most sought after.