The John Adams Society

Christopher T. Wolff

Chairman

Jason D. Hoffman

Secretary

G. Larry Colson Jr.

Chief Whip

Katey Haflund

Chancellor

SEPTEMBER 2016

“What I detect on this platform is that there is not universal consent to the notion that a doomsday is in the making.”

--John McLaughlin 

ONLY 33% OF THE POPULATION VIEWS THE GOP FAVORABLY. If that number wasn’t bad enough, demographic trends make things look even bleaker for the Grand Old Party. Only a low double digit percentage of Republican voters are non-white. At a time when the majority of children under 5 are minorities, this represents an obvious problem. Even worse, the GOP enjoys a disadvantage of more than 10% among 18-29 year olds at the voting booth.

Further, the party is being torn apart from the inside. Fiscal, social, and foreign policy conservatives, rather than working as legs in a unified stool, have generally taken to openly maligning each other. While at the same time a rise in unabashed neo-populist rhetoric tears at the still beating intellectual heart of the party. With so much going against it can there be any other outcome but for the party to fade into the aether?

ON THE OTHER HAND, a forest fire through and old and stagnant grove may appear at first glance to be utter devastation, yet after a cleansing flame the entire environment may once again flourish. So it may be with the GOP. Tumult within the ranks may give rise to a stronger organization, one capable of responding to the challenges and concerns of modern Americans while maintaining intellectual connections to the past. 

THE CHAIRMAN, wishing to say “Bye! Bye!” to lost causes, has called a debate to settle the question:

RESOLVED:  The GOP faces complete metaphysical DOOM.

The Debate will be held on September 7, 2016, at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o’clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. There is no dress code, however gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies are encourage to adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen arriving sans tie yet wishing to discourse on the resolution, the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand several remarkable selections. Questions regarding debate caucus procedures of about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (612) 494-9008 or the Secretary at (651) 245-6991.