Dick Wirthlin

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Richard Bitner Wirthlin (b. 15 March 1931) better known as Dick Wirthlin, was United States President Ronald Reagan's chief strategist and pollster.[1] Wirthlin was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy between 1996 and 2001.

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[edit] Early life

Wirthin was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Joseph L. Wirthlin, the Presiding Bishop of the LDS Church. As a young adult, Richard spent two years as a Mormon missionary, serving in Switzerland between 1951 and 1953. The mission also covered Austria but Wirthlin was assigned to Basel, Switzerland for his entire mission.[2] After finishing his missionary service, Wirthlin studied for a BA in economics and an MA in economics and statistics from the University of Utah. From 1954 to 1955 he served in the United States army.[2] He received his PhD in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley[3].

[edit] Career in polling firm and politics

In 1969, Wirthlin founded a survey research firm based in Los Angeles. Over the years the firm had various names, including Decision Making Information, Inc., The Wirthlin Group, and Wirthlin Worldwide. [4]. The firm was acquired in 2004 by Harris Interactive. After the merger with Harris Interactive, Wirthlin served on its board.

In 1980, when California Governor Ronald Reagen decided to run for president, he turned to Wirthlin for political advice. Wirthlin, together with his consulting firm, played a pivotal role in both the 1980 and 1984 elections of Reagan. After Reagan won the 1980 presidential election, Wirthlin moved to Washington, D.C. and continued to assist the president and the Republican National Committee.[5] His work on the first Reagan campaign earned him the title "Adman of the Year" by Advertising Age.[6]

In addition to his consulting work, he has been the author of two books and at least one podcast:

  • "The Greatest Communicator: What Ronald Reagan Taught Me about Politics, Leadership, and Life.", co-authored with Wynton Hall. Published in 2004, the book describes his years working with former president Ronald Reagan.
  • "Estrategia Electoral: Persuadir Por La Razon, Motivar Por La Emocion, La Estrategia De La Comunicacion Politica", published in 1995.
  • Podcast: Entrprenuerism, February 12, 2007.[7]

[edit] Service in the LDS Church

Among many other ecclesiastical assignments over the years, Wirthlin served for a time as a bishop in the LDS Church.[8]

In 1995, Wirthlin returned to his native Utah and eventually took up a full-time ecclesiastical position with the LDS Church. In 1996, Wirthlin was asked by Church President Gordon B. Hinckley to serve as a general authority of the church. Wirthlin accepted and served as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy until October 2001, when he was honorably released from his duties.

[edit] Family

On 23 November 1956, Wirthlin married Jeralie Mae Chandler in the Salt Lake Temple of the LDS Church. They are the parents of eight children.

Wirthlin has several relatives that have been in prominent leadership positions of the LDS Church. His father was the Presiding Bishop of the Church from 1952 to 1961. His older brother, Joseph B. Wirthlin, has been an Apostle and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the church since 1986. He is a first-cousin on his mother's side to Gordon B. Hinckley, the President of the Church from 1995 to 2008.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ David Mark. "Books: The Inside Story of the Great Communicator". Last accessed 2007-03-25. in Campaigns and Elections Magazine, Sept 30, 2004.
  2. ^ a b LDS Church News, June 15, 1996.
  3. ^ Grandpa Bill's G.A. Pages. Last accessed 2007-03-25.
  4. ^ "Washington Talk: Briefing; Denial from Pollster", New York Times, April 28, 1987. Last accessed 2007-03-25.
  5. ^ "Washington talk: Briefing; Wirthlin's Winners", New York Times, July 9, 1987. Last accessed 2007-03-25.
  6. ^ "Speaker Biography: Richard Wirthlin". American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). 2004. Last accessed 2007-03-25.
  7. ^ Richard Wirthlin, Presidential Pollster and founder of Wirthlin Worldwide Last accessed 2007-03-25.
  8. ^ LDS Church News, February 3, 2008

[edit] References

  • "News of the Church: Elder Richard B. Wirthlin" Ensign, May 1996