Ted Kennedy is the Most Googled US Senator of 2009

Last updated on August 10th, 2014 at 05:05 pm

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Google has compiled a list of the most searched terms in various categories for 2009, and at the top of the list for U.S. senators is the late Ted Kennedy. The only Republican to appear on the top 10 list is Chuck Grassley at number nine. On any list, Rush Limbaugh, not Glenn Beck, was the highest ranking conservative.

The top 10 most Googled senators are:

1. Kennedy
2. Nelson
3. Boxer
4. Feinstein
5. Reid
6. Byrd
7. Dodd
8. Schumer
9. Grassley
10. Warner

It is interesting that the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ranks fifth. I can understand Ted Kennedy being first, because his death was one of the biggest political stories of the year, but I can’t help but believe that if Harry Reid was more of a leader and out in front more, his ranking would be higher.

The fact that the only Republican on the list is Chuck Grassley speaks volumes about the lack of leadership at the top of the GOP. Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell could not even make the top 10. The minority party usually grabs less interest, but both Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck have higher search rankings than all 40 GOP senators.

President Obama ranks first in the category of health and wellness, while Rush Limbaugh is fifth and Glenn Beck is seventh. In the category of headline news, which lists the top stories that dominated the news cycle, Rush Limbaugh was third for the year. These results fall in line with recent polling that shows Beck and Limbaugh to be the two most influential conservatives in America.

Until the Republicans find some non-media leadership it a safe bet that Democrats will continue to dominate, not only the Senate Google rankings, but the overall political discussion. Kennedy was number one due to his unfortunate passing, and Dodd is on the list due to scandal, but this list provides a bit of unscientific evidence that the GOP is not getting their message out.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association