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Richard Viguerie, Conservative Icon

Direct Line w/Richard Viguerie, Chairman & Founder , ATA

Richard Viguerie transformed American politics in the 1960s and 70s by pioneering the use of direct mail fundraising in the political and ideological spheres, which allowed conservatives to go around the liberal media blockage, right into people’s homes. He used direct mail marketing/fundraising to help build the conservative movement, which then elected Ronald Reagan as the first conservative president of the modern era.  
 
As the “Funding Father of the conservative movement,” 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 but using a direct mail letter rather than a pamphlet to deliver his call to arms. George, John F Kennedy Jr.’s magazine, credited this as one of the defining political moments of the 20th century. 

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said about Viguerie, “He is one of the genuine pioneers of modern American politics. He really invented the use of direct mail by Republicans and by conservatives.” Former Congressman Barry Goldwater, Jr. said, “He is the catalyst that allowed conservatism to reach the pinnacles that it has over these past many years…to raise the money that has allowed conservatism to be such a powerful force in today’s politics.” 

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