<p>This new <em>Q&A</em> has two guests. With me gabbing too, it is a three-way convo. My guests are Bill Kristol and David French, those sharp and experienced political writers, and two of the people I most value.</p><p>You are, by now, familiar with “the <em>Politico</em> story”—the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146?trk=feed_main-feed-card_feed-article-content">report</a> from <em>Politico</em> about Young Republican leaders and what they say in their private (formerly private) chats.</p><p>This is dark, obnoxious stuff—to call it illiberal would be kind.</p><p>I have written a column about this matter, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jaynordlinger.com/p/about-those-young-republicans">here</a>. In it, I ask some questions that I have now put to Kristol and French: Was it ever thus? Can you draw a straight line from Reagan conservatism to Trumpism and today’s GOP?</p><p>(I say no—firmly, vehemently no.)</p><p>In our <em>Q&A</em>, we talk about our experiences in college and grad school. We ask: Was the “Reagan Right” a “real Right”? Or was it an exceptional, ephemeral Right, a classical-liberal Right, now engulfed by nationalism, populism, and worse?</p><p>In 2002, not long after 9/11 and the beginning of the War on Terror, Michael Walzer wrote a famous essay, famously titled: “<a target="_blank" href="https://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/Adler/Politics/Waltzer.htm">Can There Be a Decent Left?</a>” Well, can there be? Can there be a decent Right?</p><p>We address those questions, too.</p><p>Between the wars, in 1935, Sinclair Lewis wrote his novel <em>It Can’t Happen Here</em>. I always resented this book, starting with its title (an ironic one). My former resentment aside: Can it? Can Americans be seduced by fascism and other dark isms, same as other peoples?</p><p>David French, in particular, notes the rising popularity of Nick Fuentes. I mention Fuentes in my column today. He is more popular, more influential, than should make any of us comfortable.</p><p>A free society, an open society, is a relative rarity in human history. We wonder—French, Kristol, and I—whether we can “keep” this republic (to borrow Franklin’s word).</p><p>You can learn a great deal from Bill Kristol and David French. I long have. Make time for this meandering, meaty discussion. I think you will find it worthwhile.</p><p><p><em>Q&A</em> is the podcast of this site, <em>Onward and Upward</em>. The site is supported by readers and listeners. To receive new articles and episodes—and to support the work of the writer and podcaster—become a free or paid subscriber. Great thanks.</p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Onward and Upward at <a href="https://www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe</a>
