RICHARD VIGUERIE
Richard A. Viguerie transformed American politics in the 1960s and 1970s by pioneering the use of computerized direct marketing in the political and ideological spheres. His innovative skills and groundbreaking marketing strategies helped build the conservative movement, which then contributed to the election of Ronald Reagan as the first conservative president of the modern era.
BIO
Viguerie motivated millions of Americans to participate in politics for the first time, greatly expanding the base of active citizenship. He is our era’s equivalent of Tom Paine, using a direct mail letter rather than a pamphlet to deliver his call to arms. George magazine credited this as one of the defining political movements of the 20th century.
Read More The AFL-CIO News said that Viguerie made it all possible for conservatives, and The Washington Post called him “the conservatives’ Voice of America.” In 1979, Time magazine named him one of 50 future leaders of America. In 1981, People magazine named him one of the 25 most intriguing people of the year. In a December 1999 op-ed for The Washington Times, Dr. Lee Edwards cited Viguerie as one of 13 “Conservatives of the Century.” Viguerie’s latest book is Takeover. The Republican Party failed to win key elections because it failed to deliver on its promises to roll back the tide of big government. In Takeover, Viguerie outlines the way to establish limited government constitutional conservatism as the governing philosophy of the Republican Party and bring sanity back to Congress and the White House Viguerie is the chairman of American Target Advertising, a 52-year-old direct marketing agency based in Northern Virginia. His pioneering use of direct mail in politics continues to enable candidates and causes to raise money from millions of small contributors, rather than from a few “fat cats.” “When the history of American Conservatism is written, it should be noted the second most influential man in terms of the Conservative Movement and country, after Ronald Reagan, is direct communication wizard and conservative activist Richard A. Viguerie.” – Roger Stone “The father of political DM [direct marketing]” – Direct Magazine “Richard understands the values that help our government and economy serve the interests of the people. And he knows how to put those values into action.” – Newt Gingrich “The conservatives’ Voice of America” – The Washington Post The “architect of the New Right” – The Baltimore Sun One of 13 “Conservatives of the Century” – Dr. Lee Edwards, The Washington Times “One of the creators of the modern conservative movement” – Alexander Cockburn, The Nation “Richard Viguerie is simply the best! He and his talented staff enabled us to set fundraising records that helped carry us to victory in November.” – Hon. Ken Cuccinelli, Attorney General of Virginia, 2010-2014
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