The Evening of Greed
The New York Young Republican Club hosted an 80’s-themed party last week. Leaders described it as an attempt to reinvigorate members, declaring that this is a time when it’s "frustrating" to be a Republican in New York.
The Capitalist Ball was held at downtown's premiere bridge-and-tunnel hotspot, Culture Club, and offered an opportunity—according to the press release—to "harken back to one of the greatest eras in American culture, otherwise known as the 'Reagan Years' or the 'Decade of Greed' by those who just didn't get it."
By 10 p.m., a group of fewer than 20 people—mostly men in their 30's— had gathered at the back of the club. Madonna and Duran Duran played to an empty dance floor. Hardly a dent had been made in the cheese platter.
"I would have liked to see 50 people here," said the club's executive vice president, Ron Lewenberg. Theirs is the oldest Young Republican club in the country, started in 1911, and boasts an estimated membership of 350. "I can't say that I'm disappointed, in that I know there are two other events going on."
Mr. Lewenberg added that Governor George Pataki and the Republican Party in New York State had failed to give young Republicans at the grassroots level a reason to go out and fight for them. "A lot of Republicans are in hiding right now," he said. "We need to get them to come out of hiding."
"People go out late on Thursdays," said longtime member Mark Kronenberg, 38, a math tutor by trade. "Things might still pick up."
"If we're young and I were in my 20's and I came to this party, I'd feel a little bit like, 'What am I doing here?'" said Mary McNeal, a fortysomething paralegal. "But there's a lot more people in this club than just these people. I've been to events at the Republican Club where they have like Dick Morris speaking, and there are some really hip young people at those events."
She added, "You just missed a really cute girl, who was very thin with blond hair—she was in her 20's, maybe."
William M. Horowitz had a more upbeat take on the party. He was already handing out business cards announcing his candidacy for City Council in the 23rd District in 2009. He was 28 and wore a gray suit and a giddy smile. "I'm loving this—I think it's great. We Republicans throw the best parties."
But there's hardly anyone here?
"Well, you know, it was one of those parties where you had to RSVP, and then if you didn't RSVP in time, you know there's only so much you can do." The Transom hadn't RSVP'd.
The compact Mr. Horowitz continued, "You know, with the arrogance of the liberal media, they make you think: 'Oh well, it's a bad year for Republicans; Republicans are not going to win. You might as well stay home.' That's not true."
Two women seated on a couch brought up the party's female-under-30 contingent.
Lynn Yan, 25, an investment banker, said that she'd only been to two meetings. She wasn't surprised that the party was a dud. "Oh my God, New York is so Democratic. And the national mood right now kind of puts a damper on things." Ms. Yan's friend, Loraine Cormican, 28, a writer-comedian, agreed. "Nobody's here and people are dying in Iraq, so it kind of puts a somber mood on things."