At the corner of 18th and Massachusetts, less than two blocks from my condo, stands this fine, five-story Beaux Arts structure, sometimes known as the Andrew Mellon Building. For several years now, the American Enterprise Institute has been laboring to turn 1785 Mass into a headquarters posh enough for their exalted egos, counting among their number such distinguished DC plug-uglies as John Bolton, Lynne Cheney, Frederick Kagan, and, well, you get the picture. Neo-cons.
As I understand it, completion of the renovation has been delayed due to problems with the foundation. However, difficulties with the interior pale when compared to the changes that have occurred without, as the aging right-wing voting-getting machine, that venerable troika of tax cuts for the rich, aggressive overreach overseas, and anti-abortion tongue-clucking, has collapsed in the face of Donald’s trumpery. Whenever the new dig’s gala christening does take place—with, I am sure, the finest vintage champagne, courtesy oenophile Senior Scholar Charles Murray—I suspect (and pray) that the mood won’t be quite as triumphant as once envisioned.
