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The Council for National Policy (CNP), is an umbrella organization and networking group for the leaders of the most important conservative political groups in the United States and their financial backers. It has been described as the "club of the most powerful" and "the genuine leaders of the Republican Party" by the New York Times*, and it is widely believed to coordinate and develop strategy for the entire conservative movement.

Membership is by invitation only. The CNP describes itself as "an educational foundation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We do not lobby Congress, support candidates, or issue public policy statements on controversial issues. Our over 600 members include many of our nation's leaders from the fields of government, business, the media, religion, and the professions. Our members are united in their belief in a free enterprise system, a strong national defense, and support for traditional western values. They meet to share the best information available on national and world problems, know one another on a personal basis, and collaborate in achieving their shared goals."

CNP's meetings are closed to the general public reportedly to allow for a free-flowing exchange of ideas. This policy is said to be similar to the long-held policy of the Council on Foreign Relations, which the CNP has at times been compared to. CNP's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status was revoked by the IRS in 1992 on grounds that it was not an organization run for the public benefit. The group successfully challenged this ruling in federal court. A quarterly journal aimed at educating the public, promised in the wake of this incident, has not substantially materialized. The group has launched a website (www.policycounsel.org), which contains selected speeches from past gatherings.

Membership

CNP was founded in 1981 by Tim LaHaye, author of the Left Behind series of books. It employs about eight people. Its first executive director was Woody Jenkins; later, Morton Blackwell served in this role, followed by Steve Baldwin. Presidents have included Nelson Bunker Hunt, Amway co-founder Richard DeVos, Pat Robertson, Paul Pressler, and former Reagan cabinet secretaries Ed Meese and Donald Hodel.

Other reported members include:

See also

External references

Political organizations | Secret societies | Conservatism in the United States | New Right (United States)

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Council for National Policy".

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