Democrats and MSNBC pundits delightedly flogged yesterday's Gallup Poll that found most voters have no idea who "speaks for" the Republican Party.

Of those Republicans most named by the Gallup participants, only John McCain (picked by 6%) even holds elective office. Topping the list were Rush Limbaugh (13%) and Dick Cheney (10%), with Newt Gingrich polling 6% and George W. Bush 3%. The "1% Club" included GOP House Minority Leader John Boehner, RNC Chairman Michael Steele and likely 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

"While being associated with the party of the sitting president gives the Democrats a natural advantage over the Republicans in having a well-defined person representing them, these data clearly underscore the leadership vacuum that confronts the Republican Party today," Gallup's Frank Newport wrote.

The Gallup survey provides a fascinating snapshot in time, but things change quickly. Who would have said Barack Obama "speaks for" the Democrats in January 2008, before he won the Iowa caucuses? Three years away from the next presidential election, with Republicans the minority party in Congress and out of power in the White House, is it really surprising a single spokesman has not risen to the fore? And is it really a bad thing for the GOP?

With the economy in the tank and unpopular bailouts dominating the news, it might be politically convenient for Republicans right now that voters are clear only about who speaks for Democrats -- 60% say Barack Obama and 20% say Nancy Pelosi.