Evangelical organizations monetized Oliver North through direct-mail fundraising

Evidence

Critics accused leaders like Falwell of exploiting North in order to reap a “financial bonanza” in their direct-mail campaigns. Falwell’s spokesperson refused to say how much his campaign had brought in, but he wasn’t the only one cashing in on North. Beverly LaHaye’s Concerned Women for America offered a “beautiful full-color picture” of North being sworn in at the Iran-Contra hearings for a mere $20 contribution. Other conservative evangelical organizations also participated in the “Olliemania.” — Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Jesus and John Wayne, 277

Categorization

• ADDENDUM: Direct-mail fundraising as a commercial apparatus parallels how the consumer-culture materials in Grafting and Growth function as infrastructure carrying ideology.
• XREF: Reinforces the book’s running theme of the evangelical-industrial complex profiting off militant heroes.