Richard A.Viguerie Castleton, Va.

Chairman, American Target Advertising, Inc.; president and chairman, ConservativeHQ.com.

Power/Influence:

Viguerie helped transform American politics in the ’60s and ’70s by pioneering the use of direct mail to raise money for conservatives, which contributed to the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980. Known for his willingness to buck the Republican establishment, Viguerie prides himself on being “the GOP’s No. 1 nightmare,” blowing the whistle when the Party fails to live up to conservative principles. Viguerie, a lifelong Republican, says the GOP has linked itself to big government, K Street lobbyists, and earmarks, and he predicts ’08 will be an “abysmal” election year.

Role in Campaign ’08:

Already looking past 2008, Viguerie says McCain lacks the conservative support needed to win. “The conservative movement will revive once the voters kill off what’s left of the Republican Party in November,” he says, adding: “The new conservative movement will seek to become the dominant force in American politics, rather than a mere appendage of the Republican Party.”

Who Knew: Viguerie resided in New York’s Greenwich Village during the early ’60s. While he assures Newsmax he wasn’t wearing sandals or reciting Beatnik poetry during those years, his friendships continue to cross party lines and include Lanny Davis, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and Al Franken.

See List: 25 Most Influential Republicans

Order a copy of the Newsmax Magazine Special Report — "25 Most Influential Republicans"