The Calm Before the Storm: Inside St Andrews’ APA Presidential Debate Watch Party

It’s a bizarre experience writing about a pre-election event in the bout of post-election gloom. Writing this on 6 November, the re-election of President Donald Trump noticeably weighs on the whole St Andrews community, if not the whole country and world at large. Not even 48 hours ago, I was plagued with a different sort of apprehension, mulling over an unknown I now long for. However, the question of who would become the next president-elect was not my only source of insecurity — I was also unsure whether the American Politics Association’s (APA) presidential debate watch party would quell or exacerbate my pre-election anxieties.

Unlike the Rust Belt swing states, an evening with the APA did not disappoint. In a time of great instability, those who secured free FIXR tickets were provided with some comforting guarantees: a complimentary cocktail, canapes, and two free soft drinks sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). Hosted at The Hide by Mitchell’s on 4 November from 7pm (the night before election day), an evening of leisure, laughter, and libation visibly eased the tension amongst St Andrews’ election followers.

Once I figured out exactly how I was meant to enter The Hide (I suppose its obscurity adds to the allure), I was greeted with a bright blue spritz concoction and my soft drink tokens to use at the bar. Following thirty minutes of amicable socialising, the evening began with words from Amar Bhandal and Sebastian Dooley, student alumni of the AEI, and Ellen Winters and Zachary Mandosa, founders of the St Andrews APA. With seasoned popcorn in hand, attendees eagerly awaited reliving now iconic debate moments — “they’re eating the dogs” and “I have concepts of a plan” from Trump were crowd favourites.

But who is the mysterious AEI that provided a free evening event in St Andrews with food and drinks (a great rarity in an age of tickets costing £10 for a mediocre night at the Vic)? An independent, nonprofit centre-right think tank, the AEI may be a newcomer to St Andrews but has a long legacy of involvement on university campuses. With a Collegiate Network involving over 75 universities and 200 annual members across the United States, the Institute is supported by contributions from foundations, corporations, and individuals. Some notable affiliates of the AEI include former Vice President Dick Cheney, former President Gerald R. Ford, Paul Wolfowitz, and various other prominent neoconservatives.

I asked Bhandal about his experience as an AEI Collegiate Network Member and his efforts to expand it to St Andrews. A student of AEI’s fully funded Summer Honors Programme in Washington, D.C., he was first drawn to AEI’s historic influence in conservative policymaking. Inspired by Senate visits, talks by politicians such as Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, and his engaging seminars, Bhandal sought to bring AEI back to St Andrews. Ahead of the Election Watch Party, the AEI funded two student reading group meetings. “[They give] me full discretion of the format of the events, choice of text, and venues too,” says Bhandal, “demonstrating […] a commitment to its values and engaging with students.” Although I may disagree with AEI’s politics, I say three cheers for free student events and programmes!

In contrast to the extensive history of the AEI, the APA is a relatively new student organisation at St Andrews. Striving to provide the community with a platform for “open and nonpartisan conversation” on US politics, the APA offers frequent discussions, podcasts, newsletters, and support for those students interested in a career in US politics. With existing St Andrews Societies targeting US politics — such as St Andrews Democrats Overseas and St Andrews Votes USA — I asked APA’s founders what vacuum the group could fill. “There was no society which provided a platform for nonpartisan discussion,” explained Mandosa. “The APA was created to bring people of different ideologies together and civilly discuss them.” Winters added, “We encourage people of all backgrounds and subject areas to join us in [increasing] engagement and awareness surrounding US politics.”

If you’re interested in joining more APA events, feel free to join their weekly Thursday socials at the One Under and visit their website to subscribe to the mailing list for future events. AEI also offers various academic programmes for university-aged students, including their fully funded Summer Honors Program in Washington, D.C. “I would recommend applying to the AEI to any student, whether or not you’re from a conservative background,” said Bhandal. For those interested solely in St Andrews-based AEI events, Bhandal announces upcoming opportunities with the Institute on X (@Amar_S_Bhandal).

While the re-election of President Trump may have caused me to lose faith in American society, I won’t let it taint my memories from 4 November with the APA. Ultimately, I fondly reflect on my evening at The Hide — a moment of blissful ignorance enjoying quality conversation, free refreshments and nibbles, and the hilarity of September’s presidential debate.  

Photo: Celia Irving