American Conservative Union

The American Conservative Union (ACU) describes itself as "the nation's oldest conservative lobbying organization."

"ACU's purpose is to effectively communicate and advance the goals and principles of conservatism through one multi-issue, umbrella organization. The Statement of Principles makes clear ACU's support of capitalism, belief in the doctrine of original intent of the framers of the Constitution, confidence in traditional moral values, and commitment to a strong national defense," its website states.

"Over the years, ACU has been on the cutting edge of major public policy battles. Among ACU's significant efforts, past and present, are fighting to keep OSHA off the back of small businesses, opposing the Panama Canal giveaway, opposing the SALT treaties, supporting aid to freedom fighters in Marxist countries, promoting the confirmation of conservative Justices to the Supreme Court, battling against higher taxes, and advocating the need for near-term deployment of strategic defenses," it states on its website.

"In 1994, through its Citizens Against Rationing Health coalition, sponsorship of national 'town meetings,' and a 'Health Care Truth Tour,' ACU spearheaded the conservative response on the health reform issue. Whether fighting for lower taxes and less government spending, more effective and efficient military protection, or the cause of freedom world-wide, by speaking for the entire conservative movement the American Conservative Union is always 'Your Conservative Voice in Washington'," its website states.

CPAC
According to the ACU website, "since 1973, the ACU Foundation has hosted the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, where thousands of conservative activists and leaders from across the country join together for a three-day event to discuss current issues and policies and to set the agenda for the future of the conservative movement. CPAC is open to the general public and offers a distinguished cast of participants, speakers and panelists. Among the most notable guests: Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush; Vice Presidents Dan Quayle and Dick Cheney; former Senate GOP leader Bob Dole; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; Senators Zell Miller, Rick Santorum and George Allen; as well as numerous other congressional members, Cabinet officers, media correspondents, international celebrities and key political figures."

Officers and Executive Staff

 * David A. Keene, Chairman
 * Dennis E. Whitfield, Executive Vice President
 * Thomas S. Winter, First Vice Chairman
 * Donald J. Devine, Ph.D., Second Vice Chairman
 * Jameson Campaigne, Jr., Secretary


 * Tish Leonard, Finance Director
 * Diana Carr, Administrative Director
 * Lisa De Pasquale, CPAC Director
 * Larry Hart, Director of Government Relations
 * Lynn Bradshaw, Director of Development
 * Heather Madden, Deputy Director of Development
 * Vincent Galatro, Program Assistant
 * Jennifer Needam, Administrative Assistant
 * Elizabeth Neaton, Finance Assistant
 * Joseph Logue, Assistant to the CPAC Director

Directors

 * Joe Bast (Chicago, IL)
 * Jeffrey Bell (Arlington, VA)
 * Morton Blackwell (Springfield, VA)
 * John Bolton (Washington, DC)
 * Floyd Brown (Santa Barbara, CA)
 * Al Cardenas (Miami, FL)
 * Muriel Coleman (Madison,WI)
 * Tom DeLay (Washington, DC)
 * Becky Norton Dunlop (Arlington VA), VP, Heritage Foundation
 * Larry Eastland (Santa Monica, CA)
 * M. Stanton Evans (Washington, DC)
 * Alan Gottlieb (Bellevue, WA)
 * Van D. Hipp, Jr. (Washington, DC)
 * Suhail Khan (Washington, DC)
 * James V. Lacy (Monarch Beach, CA)
 * Wayne LaPierre (Fairfax, VA)
 * Michael Long (Brooklyn, NY)
 * Senator Serphin Maltese (Glendale, NY)
 * Carolyn D. Meadows (Marietta, GA)
 * M.J. Mintz (Washington, DC)
 * Cleta Mitchell (Washington, DC)
 * Steve Moore (Washington, DC)
 * Joseph Morris (Chicago, IL)
 * Grover Norquist (Washington, DC)
 * Ron Robinson (Reston, VA)
 * Allen Roth (New York, NY)
 * Matt Schlapp (Washington, DC)
 * Tracie Sharp (Richmond, CA)
 * Lewis K. Uhler (Roseville, CA)
 * Kirby Wilbur (Duvall, WA)
 * Thomas S. Winter (Washington, DC)

Contact details
1007 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703 836-8602 Fax: 703 836-8606 Email: acu AT conservative.org Web: http://www.conservative.org/

Books

 * Allan C. Brownfeld, The financiers of revolution: A special study of how foundations and organizations are using Federal "tax exemption" laws to promote political and social upheaval in America (American Conservative Union, 1969).

External articles

 * Randy Hall, "'General Betray Us' Ad Violated Election Law, Group Says," Cybercast News Service, September 20, 2007. re MoveOn.org
 * Mike Allen, "Exclusive: Conservative group offers support for $2M", Politico, July 17, 2009.
 * Dennis Whitfield, ACU Executive Vice President, "Statement from ACU regarding false headline by Washington publication POLITICO ", Media Release, July 17, 2009.