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Guess who presidential candidates want most in their corner

Drew Zahn

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Chuck Norris

Now that the presidential primary field appears to be set, candidates will turn to power players, friends and celebrities, hoping to solicit glowing words that will give them a leg up on their competition.

But which celebrities do candidates covet most for their endorsements?

In a poll of its political insiders conducted earlier this year, National Journal discovered the favorite celebrity among Republicans to give their campaigns a "kick" is none other than martial artist and WND commentator Chuck Norris.

Read Chuck Norris' insights on our nation, in "Black Belt Patriotism : How to Reawaken America."

A reported 46 percent of the Journal's insiders named Norris, whose endorsement of Mike Huckabee in the 2008 GOP primaries boosted the former Arkansas governor's campaign, as a welcome fighter in a Republican candidate's corner.

"We are the 'daddy party' and the Dems are the 'mommy party,'" commented one Journal insider. "No one makes that more apparent than Chuck."

The top Democrat celebrity, named by 84 percent of Democrat insiders, is Oprah Winfrey.

One Insider reportedly said she "brings women and credibility; she is a verifier that says you're real."

The National Journal poll asked insiders each to name three top celebrities who were "most effective at raising funds and bringing voters," thus enabling the percentages to add up to more than 100 percent.

Rounding out the most coveted endorsements for Republicans are the following:

  • Chuck Norris, named by 46 percent of insiders
  • Actor Gary Sinise, 43 percent
  • Country singer Toby Keith, 37 percent
  • Singer Lee Greenwood, 27 percent
  • Actress Bo Derek, 25 percent

Τhe top endorsements for Democrats were the following:

  • Oprah Winfrey, 86 percent
  • Singer Bruce Springsteen, 77 percent
  • Comedian Jon Stewart, 50 percent
  • Singer Cheryl Crow, 18 percent
  • Rapper Jay-Z, 15 percent

The National Journal Political Insiders Poll is a regular survey of over 200 political operatives, strategists, campaign consultants and lobbyists in both parties.

During the last presidential election season, as WND reported, Norris also made a list of movers and shakers, ranked No. 71 on the London Telegraph's list of most influencial conservatives, celebrity or not. Norris' ranking was actually higher than such notables as Ann Coulter (84), Pat Buchanan (80) and Bill O'Reilly (82).

Huckabee's campaign also noticed Norris' impact, experiencing a surge of online donations immediately following a column Norris wrote, published in WND, endorsing the former governor.

A few weeks later, the Huckabee campaign even released a 60-second tongue-in-cheek advertisement in which Huckabee played on Norris' reputation for being a tough guy with a can-do attitude.

"My plan for securing the border," Huckabee deadpanned in the adverstisement, "two words: Chuck Norris."