In my opinion it probably is whoever is the current boss of the Genovese family.

That's an interesting question. I guess because the Genovese family is widely considered the most powerful, whoever heads it would be the single most powerful mafioso. Of course, it's not always that clear cut. At his peak Carlo Gambino was considered the most powerful boss even though the Genovese were the more powerful family. Likewise, after he was the last boss on the street, Joe Massino was considered the most powerful even though the Bonannos certainly were not the most powerful family. But there really isn't a clear, single boss of the Genovese today. The family continues to be run by a number of high level captains with one of them stepping up as acting boss from time to time.

yeah and the Genovese finally is notorious for always putting out different names on the street as to who is the boss or underboss and the consig. So they can keep the authorities quessing and off their feet.

Obama

Nancy Pelosi

It used to be a tie between Bush Jr. and Cheney (he was the real power)

It appears SC was even powerful as a tot.

Maybe I should have posted this under "Another SC sighting!"

Probably the most poerful Mafioso in the country is someone we haven't heard of--because having any kind of public profile is a certain, one-way ticket to prison.

true but we never know look at john gotti

John Gotti was a pimp..

the Dapper Don

The most powerful mobster in the US is Jersey associate, Ralph Guarino.

But hes only a associate..

Its ok just saying this but where is the logic to back it up..

Either Vinny Gorgeous or Sal the Iron Worker. Vincent "Vinny Gorgeous" Basciano because the dude is facing the death penalty if convicted, and that doesn't deter him from the Bonannos nor does it make him try any less to continue his operations through his successor, Sicilian Zip Salvatore "Sal the Iron Worker" Montagna. With that said, Sal the Iron Worker because he is A) The current head of the Bonannos who despite currently being the weakest due to the slimeball Massino becoming an informer, but they are making a comeback. B) Because Sal holds strong connections to Sicily, and much like Frank Cali of the Gambinos, he can establish ties with the Sicilians and even start up operations with them. C) Because Sal also holds ties to Canada, and the Bonannos have always had ties to the so called "Sixth Family." With Don Vito Rizzuto of Montreal aiding Massino in the slayings of the Three Capos: Sonny Red Indelicato, Phil Lucky Giaccone, and Big Trin Trinchera. Perhaps with the backing of the Sicilans and Canadians courtesy of Sal Montagna, the Bonannos could become the strongest, and the dream of Joe Bonanno would be realized.

Too bad Sal Montagna got deported to Canada by the feds...

The Joe Massino fiasco has put the Bonannos pretty much back on the shelf again. Vinny Basciano is either jailed for life or about to get a lethal injection. When it comes to yielding power, both of those situations pretty much disqualify him. Montagna has been deported, so again, yielding power in America would be damn near impossible.

Well, that is true. However, since Sal's only in Montreal, I don't think it would be very hard to sneak back across the border, much like the Canadian mobsters have done for ages. But who knows? Perhaps Sal is doomed to spend the rest of his life in Canada, but he might become a major player with the Rizzuto Family in Montreal, who knows?

My thoughts exactly.

All time most powerful? Anthony "Joe Batters" Accardo.
Of the Outfit. Wiley dude.

That guy's a rat.

Oh, i guess you joking. Heh.

Although some guy was saying on another message board that Joe Batters stayed out of jail all that time by becoming Chicago Agent Bill Roemer's confidential informant, codenamed "Sporting Goods".