Top 10 Conservative Think Tanks

Top Ten US Conservative Websites (About.com)

1. The Heritage Foundation

Heritage.org

Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is one of the most widely respected research and educational institutes in the world. As a think tank, it formulates and promotes conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation offers policies and perspectives on every major issue that's important to conservatives. With its "A" list of scholars, the foundation "is committed to building an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity and civil society flourish."

2. The Cato Institute

Cato.org

The Cato Institute is one of the nation's leading authorities on public policy and its insight is guided by a strong moral purpose and "the principles of limited government, free markets, individual liberty, and peace." Its mission statement is clear: "The Institute will use the most effective means to originate, advocate, promote, and disseminate applicable policy proposals that create free, open, and civil societies in the United States and throughout the world." The institute commissions studies, books and briefings from a variety of industry professionals. It site, Cato.org, is an excellent place for conservatives to educate themselves and investigate political issues of every stripe.

3. Citizens Against Government Waste

CAGW.org

Citizens Against Government Waste is a private, non-partisan, non-profit advocacy group that focuses on ... well, eliminating government waste. According to its mission statement, CAGW aims to eliminate waste, mismanagement, and inefficiency in the federal government. The organization represents more than a million members and supporters across the US and is the legacy of Ronald Reagan's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control, also known as the Grace Commission. CAGW was officially founded in 1984 -- the end of Reagan's first term in office. If you're a conservative building an argument for government waste, or just a concerned citizens looking to find out where federal money is going, look no further thanCAGW.org.

4. Media Research Center

MRC.org

The mission of the Media Research Center is to bring balance to the news media. The aim of the MRC is to expose the liberal bias that exists and influence the public's understanding of critical issues. On October 1, 1987, a group of young determined conservatives set out to not only prove — through sound scientific research — that liberal bias in the media does exist and undermines traditional American values, but also to neutralize its impact on the American political scene through advocacy and activism.

5. Townhall

Townhall.com

Townhall.com was launched in 1995 as the first conservative web community. It was the first major investment in online political activism. In 2005, Townhall.com split off from The Heritage Foundation to expand its scope and enhance its mission to inform, empower and mobilize citizens for political change. Townhall.com pulls together news and information from its 120 different "partner organizations," political commentary and analysis from over 100 different columnists.Townhall.com is designed to amplify conservative voices in America’s political debates just as the 2008 election heats up.

6. Republican National Committee

RNC.org

For many political conservatives the Republican National Committeeis where their site list starts ... and ends. The Republican National Committee's Web site is often seen as the pulse of the movement, a place where conservatives can virtually congregate and share like-minded ideologies.

7. National Federation of Republican Women

NFRW.org

The National Federation of Republican Women is a national grassroots political organization with more than 1,800 local clubs and tens of thousands of members in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam and the Virgin Islands, making it one of the largest women's political organizations in the country. The NFRW uses its resources to promote an informed public through political education and activity, increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government, facilitate cooperation among the National and state Federations of Republican women's clubs, support Republican objectives and policies and work for the election of Republican nominees.

8. Civil Society Project

CivilSocietyProject.org

While The Civil Society Project is NOT a political organization, it has, in founder Don Eberly's words, "contributed widely to a broad bi-partisan debate over the state of civic America and how to renew it, involving academics, policy experts, civic leaders and elected officials." The organization's Web site provides visitors with a rich combination of philosophical discussions and calls to action.

9. RenewAmerica

RenewAmerica.us

RenewAmerica is a conservative organization founded in 2002 to show grassroots support for Alan Keyes. Although its developers consider it a "Christian political vehicle," its religious aspects are far less prominent than its focus on returning the nation to its traditional foundations. Its mission statement underscores this point: "The mission of RenewAmerica is to expand the influence of America's grassroots — both among individual citizens and among principled groups — in the cause of preserving our nation upon its founding ideals, specifically those in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, as well as those derived from biblical principles." For conservatives seeking an alternative media source, RenewAmerica.usis it.

10. American Enterprise Institute

AEI.org

Like the Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute, the American Enterprise Institute is a public policy research organization, which sponsors research, studies and books on the top economic and political issues facing the nation. What separates AEI from other public policy organizations is its unabashed conservative approach. According to its web site, AEI.org, the organization's purposes "are to defend the principles and improve the institutions of American freedom and democratic capitalism--limited government, private enterprise, individual liberty and responsibility, vigilant and effective defense and foreign policies, political accountability, and open debate." For a conservative, this site is a trove of pure gold.