The question has been discussed in the for quite a while. Rush Limbaugh has been called the de facto leader of the Republican Party. Steele did have problem with that

RNC chief Steele: Limbaugh is more a performer than GOP leader - CNN.com

.. but later ended up apologizing to Rush

So how much influence does Rush have over the Republicans?

It seems to me that he does control a significant portion of the agenda.

Is that good or bad for the party?