May 12, 2009 11:00am by David Farrar

The American Politics Appreciation Society

The American Politics Appreciaton Society is the good idea of James Coyle (former President, Young Labour) with some support from myself.

We realised that there was precious little for the average fan of American politics here in NZ. Hence the purpose of the Society is to provide the exchange of ideas, enthusiasm, knowledge and opinion (however ill-informed) among all people here in NZ who consider themselves fans of the American political system in all its convoluted, yet fascinating glory. Preferably our exchanges will always take place over pints and will involve fun and convivial debate.

Our aim to hold occassional or semi-regular meetings of the Society. Each meeting will involve a guest speaker of some repute who will deliver a talk on an aspect of American politics that they have considerable experience or knowledge of, followed by questions and discussion. The intention of the Society is to secure regular American-based speakers who work in the American political system and are out here on visits to NZ for some reason or another.

Meetings will also typically involve a quiz (devised by the Society’s founders) in order to establish the current reigning New Zealand ‘American Politics Nerd Champion’. The title is challengeable every time the Society meets and a fresh quiz held.

Meetings are held upstairs at the Backbencher on Molesworth St inside Wellington’s beltway, on Tuesday or Wednesday nights, circa 6-7.30 pm while the House breaks for dinner.

The Society is a strictly bi-partisan organisation and therefore welcomes fans of all political hue – welcomes fans of all political hue – from East Coast liberals, to the foreign policy hawks of DC; from the Reagan Democrats, to the Southern State Republican who decided to give Obama a go this time. The key membership requirement is enthusiasm for the topic.

You can get news of TAPAS events and speakers in three ways: