Richard Wirthlin

Richard Bitner ("Dick") Wirthlin (March 15, 1931 – March 16, 2011) was a prominent American pollster, who is best known as Ronald Reagan's chief strategist, serving as his political consultant and pollster for twenty years, from 1968 through the end of his presidency. He became a senior adviser and member of Reagan's inner circle and is known to have helped him shape his political message and strategies, both in presidential campaigns and in the White House.[1][2] Wirthlin also was a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and a member of its Second Quorum of the Seventy from 1996 to 2001.

Richard B. Wirthlin
Photograph of Richard B. Wirthlin
Second Quorum of the Seventy
April 6, 1996 (1996-04-06T01) – October 6, 2001 (2001-10-06)
Called byGordon B. Hinckley
End reasonHonorably released
Personal details
BornRichard Bitner Wirthlin
(1931-03-15)March 15, 1931
Salt Lake City, Utah
DiedMarch 16, 2011(2011-03-16) (aged 80)
Salt Lake City, Utah

Early life

Wirthin was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Madeline Bitner and Joseph L. Wirthlin, who later served as presiding bishop of the LDS Church. As a young adult, he spent two years as a Mormon missionary, serving in Switzerland and Austria from 1951 to 1953. Wirthlin was assigned to Basel, Switzerland for his entire mission.[3] After finishing his missionary service, Wirthlin obtained a B.A. in economics and an M.A. in economics and statistics from the University of Utah. From 1954 to 1955 he served in the United States army.[3] He received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California at Berkeley.[4]

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 finally, Wirthlin Worldwide.[5] The firm was acquired in 2004 by Harris Interactive. After the merger with Harris Interactive, Wirthlin served on its board of directors.[6]

In 1980, when California governor Ronald Reagan 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. According to the book The Neglected Voter, Wirthlin was the author of Reagan's historic 1980 campaign plan and foresaw the rise of so-called "Reagan Democrats".[7] After Reagan won the 1980 presidential election, Wirthlin moved to Washington, D.C. and continued to assist the president and the Republican National Committee.[8] His work on the first Reagan campaign earned him the title, Adman of the Year, declared by Advertising Age.[9]

In addition to consulting work, he was 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 on Entrprenuerism, February 12, 2007 [10]

LDS Church service

Among many other ecclesiastical assignments over the years, Wirthlin served for a time as a bishop in the LDS Church.[3]

In 1995, Wirthlin returned to his native Utah. In 1996, Wirthlin was asked by LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley to serve as a church general authority. Wirthlin served as a member of the church's Second Quorum of the Seventy until October 2001, when he was honorably released from his duties.

Family

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

Wirthlin has several relatives who have held prominent leadership positions of the LDS Church. His father was the presiding bishop from 1952 to 1961. His older brother, Joseph B. Wirthlin, was an apostle and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1986 to 2008. Hinckley—who served as church president from 1995 to 2008—was his first cousin on his mother's side.

Death

Wirthlin died of renal failure[1] in his Salt Lake City home one day after his eightieth birthday.[11][12] He was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Notes
  1. Clymer, Adam (March 17, 2011). "Richard Wirthlin, Pollster Who Advised Reagan, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  2. David Mark. "Books: The Inside Story of the Great Communicator," Campaigns and Elections (magazine), September 30, 2004. Archived February 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Lloyd, R. Scott (June 15, 1996). "Opinion researcher knows gospel values are strong motivators". Church News. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  4. "Richard B. (Bitner) Wirthlin". Grandpa Bill's G.A. Pages. William O. Lewis, III. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  5. "Washington Talk: Briefing; Denial from Pollster". The New York Times. April 28, 1987. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  6. Research Industry Loses a True Giant, Harris Interactive press release, New York, PR Newswire, March 17, 2011
  7. The Neglected Voter: White Men and the Democratic Dilemma. St. Martin's Press. 2 October 2007.
  8. "Washington talk: Briefing; Wirthlin's Winners". The New York Times. July 9, 1987. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  9. "Speaker Biography: Richard Wirthlin". American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). 2004. Last accessed 2007-03-25. Archived July 15, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Dr. Richard Wirthlin, Presidential Pollster and founder, Wirthlin Worldwide". ResearchTalk. February 12, 2007. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  11. Palazzo, Anthony (March 16, 2011). "Richard Wirthlin, Reagan adviser, dies at 80". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  12. Koepp, Paul (March 16, 2011). "Richard Bitner Wirthlin, LDS general authority and pollster for Ronald Reagan, dies at 80". Deseret News. Retrieved 2011-03-17.

References
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