Machiavellian Rasputin Svengali VIP access activist bad influence ball of fire beaver behind-the-scenes operator big wheel big-time operator bustler busy bee court doer eager beaver eminence grise enthusiast finagler five-percenter friend at court gamesman go-getter good influence gray eminence heavyweight hidden hand human dynamo hustler influence influence peddler influencer ingroup key kingmaker live wire lobby lobbyist logroller lords of creation machinator man of action man of deeds man of influence manipulator militant new broom open sesame operator political activist pork-barrel politician powerhouse powers that be pressure group sinister influence special interests special-interest group strategist take-charge guy the Establishment very important person winner wire-puller