Council for National Policy

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The Council for National Policy (CNP), is an umbrella organization and networking group for conservative activists. The New York Times has described it is a "little-known group of a few hundred of the most powerful conservatives in the country", who meet three times yearly behind closed doors at undisclosed locations for a confidential conference.^[1]

While those involved are almost entirely from the United States, their organizations and influence cover the globe, both religiously and politically. Members include corporate executives, television evangelists, legislators, former military or high ranking government officers, leaders of 'think tanks' dedicated to molding society and those whom many view as "Christian" leadership. Members in many cases are owners or leaders from industry such as lumber, oil, mining, commodities, real estate, the media, including owners of radio, television and print, with all aspects of life covered. Many are involved in education, determined to influence society's direction by direct input with children and youth.

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."

The organization has been reported to be planning involvement in the 2008 presidential election campaign, and actively looking for a candidate to represent their views. ^[2]

1 Meetings and membership
2 Leadership
3 Past and possible current members
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Meetings and membership

Membership is by invitation only. The membership list, previously made public, is now "strictly confidential." Guests may attend "only with the unanimous approval of the executive committee." Members are instructed not to refer to the organization by name, to protect against leaks.^[1] It is said that the secrecy is intended to insulate the Council from the liberal bias of the news media as perceived by its members.^[2]

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, to which the CNP has at times been compared. 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. A controversial 1997 address by the current Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper^[3], is not among them.

[edit] Leadership

CNP was founded in 1981 by Tim LaHaye, author of the Left Behind series of books. Other early participants include Paul Weyrich, Phyllis Schlafly, Robert Grant, Howard Phillips, a former Republican affiliated with the Constitution Party, Richard Viguerie, the direct-mail specialist, and Morton Blackwell, a Louisiana and Virginia activist who is considered a specialist on the rules of the Republican Party and who, with Karl Rove, engineered the 2004 Republican election strategy.[1]

The council employs about eight people. Its first executive director was Woody Jenkins; later, Morton Blackwell served in this role, which is currently held by Steve Baldwin. Presidents have included Nelson Bunker Hunt of Dallas, Amway co-founder Richard DeVos of Michigan, Pat Robertson of Virginia Beach, Paul Pressler of Houston, and former Reagan Cabinet secretaries Ed Meese and Donald Hodel, as well as current president Kenneth Cribb.

[edit] Past and possible current members

The accuracy of the list below is questionable, because CNP membership is not publicly disclosed.

Based on earlier membership lists disclosed by CNP and some speculation on an updated list, membership likely includes the following prominent individuals:[2][3][4][5][6][7]