In a time when political division dominates the headlines and polarization seems to define every conversation, it’s easy to believe that we’re too far apart to get anything done. But every now and then, two individuals remind us what it actually means to lead, to build, and to go big—not by avoiding disagreement, but by rising above it.
Meet Roger Craver and Richard Viguerie—two men who have shaped American political life for over six decades. They’ve fought for opposite causes, stood on opposite sides of nearly every major policy debate, and built fundraising machines that fueled two entirely different movements. But their shared story is not one of division. It’s one of determination, grit, and mutual respect.
Roger helped transform the landscape of progressive activism, launching or revitalizing organizations like Common Cause, the ACLU, Sierra Club, NAACP, and the National Organization for Women. His methods brought millions of small-dollar donors into the fight for civil liberties, environmental protection, and equality—people who, before Roger’s work, had no clear path to action.
Richard did the same for the conservative movement, creating the blueprint for direct mail and issue-based fundraising that helped build the backbone of modern grassroots conservatism. He raised support for groups like Young Americans for Freedom, the American Conservative Union, Gun Owners of America, and many others—igniting the political power of everyday conservatives long before the internet or cable news existed.
Both men faced ridicule from the media. Both were told their methods wouldn’t work. Both disrupted the status quo by refusing to accept that only elites could shape policy. And both did something even rarer: they kept going, decade after decade, because they believed in what they were building and who they were building it for.
They were never supposed to be friends. But they are.
Their friendship wasn’t born of political compromise. It was built on something far stronger—shared values around professionalism, work ethic, and a belief in the dignity of the people they served. As Roger puts it, “We didn’t agree, but we could talk. We could learn from each other. And we respected the craft.”
That’s a lesson many have forgotten. You don’t have to agree with someone to value them. You don’t have to endorse their beliefs to learn from their commitment. And you don’t have to change your principles to collaborate with those who take their work seriously.
They also agree on something else: democracy only works if citizens stay engaged. The greatest danger isn’t the other side winning—it’s people giving up altogether. Both men believe we’re at the edge of a new wave of citizen engagement. People are waking up. They’re showing up. They’re refusing to accept apathy as normal. That’s how change begins—not from the top down, but from the ground up.
Their advice for the next generation? Don’t wait to be asked. Start now. Find a cause you believe in. Learn everything you can about it. Study the giants who came before you. Read. Watch. Ask questions. Get around mentors who have done the work. And when you’re ready, build something that matters.
Richard puts it plainly: “Be bold. Bring energy. Have a plan. And get out of your comfort zone every day.”
Roger says it this way: “Going big doesn’t mean blowing up the system. It means showing up—consistently, energetically, and with integrity.”
Going big is not about headlines. It’s not about shouting over your opponent. It’s about building a life that reflects what you care about and putting in the effort to make something better for others.
So wherever you stand politically, whatever issue gets you fired up, the example of Craver and Viguerie offers a roadmap. Show up. Master your craft. Respect others who are doing the same. And never forget—when people organize, they can change the world.
That’s how these two went big. And that’s still how change happens.
Start with energy. Back it with knowledge. Follow through with action. And keep going big.
