Event Type : Seminar or Talk

Join the New York Young Republican Club for an evening with Paul Gottfried, renowned political theorist and historian, for a candid conversation on the collapse of the political middle and the myths that sustain it. In an era marked by ideological polarization and cultural realignment, long-standing assumptions about “moderate Democrats” and “natural Republicans” continue to shape elite discourse, even as they no longer reflect political reality.

This event will deconstruct these labels head-on, advancing the argument that there are no true “moderate Democrats,” nor are there “natural Republicans” who reliably vote for the left. Through historical context and contemporary analysis, the discussion will examine how these concepts emerged, why they persist, and how they function to obscure real ideological commitments and voter behavior. Gottfried will offer insights into the death of the “normie,” the erosion of the political center, and what this realignment means for coalition politics, party loyalty, and the future of American political life.

When: Monday, February 2, 2026

Time: 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM

Price: $20 for Members / $40 for Non-Members

Not a member? Join here!

Location: Midtown Manhattan (location revealed to ticket purchasers)

Cash Bar Available.

About Paul Gottfried:

Paul Gottfried is an influential American paleoconservative political philosopher, historian, and writer, known for his role as editor-in-chief of Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture, his former professorship at Elizabethtown College, and his many books and articles on European thought and various political movements. A Yale Ph.D. and Guggenheim recipient, he’s a prominent political thinker, who advocates for traditional conservatism, criticizes neoconservatism, and coined the term “paleoconservative.” He voted for The Donald in three presidential elections and doesn’t regret those decisions.

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