[Lord of Angmar]

'What ifs' have no point in fiction, IMO, because the story is as it was written by the author.(Earendilyon)

I could not disagree more. Conjecture makes for interesting debate, particularly in regards to Professor Tolkien's world, where there is such depth that 'what ifs' can be discussed thoroughly and interestingly.

The breaking of the staff was most likely the result of breaking of power, not the other way around. (Gwaihir)

I agree with you and Eomer. Although I did not fully understand the initial question posed by the thread-starter, I believe that the power of the Istari was not derived from their staffs (although the staffs obviously had more use than merely as walking-sticks). Had Gandalf fled with the Fellowship without his staff and Glamdring, I do not think his power would have been dimmed much. After all, as far as we know, he left his imprisonment at Isengard without the staff he carried at the beginning of the Fellowship of the Ring.