Spring is in the air, and the Democrats search the political closet and try different looks. When a little more than Registered voters district Have a positive views of you, a youthful treatment seems attractive. But made cool, it's cringing teeth – and gadgets will not save a party that is forgotten how to be real.
There are many rebranding advice if they are conflicting. James Carville thinks that Democrats should just divert And let Trump self-destructive (a strategy that could work for mid-term, but ultimately a party must represent something). Meanwhile, David Hogg, the new vice -president of the National Democratic Committee, wants to spend millions of people to serve outgoing geriatrics of the party – a daring decision that could sabotage a promising electoral evening.
At least Hogg (who wants to replace the old domesticated with more combative progressives) operates the Zeitgeist. Its program channels the inevitable phase of “youth call” of an identity crisis – for the same reasons that divorced dads buy convertibles. Americans, in general, tend to prioritize the style on the substance, especially when we spiral.
The last mode – which rides some of the Hogg goals – is the “Dark woke up“Aesthetics (a sophisticated term for progressive policy disguised in an upset and conflicting style). The problem? Whoever remembers that Grumpy tic video Dems has set up in March is aware that nothing shouts “despair” as an attempt at excessive relevance.
Because yes, the democratic brand is cooked. Worse: it's lame. People thought the party was cool (or at least cool). They had Barack Obama, George Clooney and a monopoly on the cultural capital. Now they have the burden of being the “adult” party (and not the naughty genre). Adults pay taxes and send follow-up emails.
Democrats, surprisingly, have become the monitors of the American policy room. And what should they show to assume this responsibility?
Meanwhile, the GOP – formerly the field of Dockers dads, prudes and young Republicans – has succeeded in the unthinkable. They have become chaos agents. Punk Rockers. The group of the middle fingers. The overthrow was amazing.
It is not surprising that the Democrats want to recover this low terrain. They did not enter politics to be the managers of the Republic's calculation sheets. They wanted to wear sunglasses inside and cite the Aaron Sorkin dialogue in real life. They imagined themselves like the John F. Kennedy, effortlessly, with this hair of ruffled movies, the skin tanned by the pool and these strips of conventional rays which always gave it the air of leaving a GQ shoot.
The problem? Cool does not work when it is forced. Ask any college student (I have two). When today's Democrats look too far in their daring side, it does not look like a change in organic atmosphere – it looks like panic in skinny jeans. “We are believed now!” We applaud! We vibrate with Gen Z! ” Yeah, of course. Right after PAC lunch and before the round table on infrastructure reform.
Which brings us back to Hogg and its crusade to start boomers. In theory, replacing career politicians with even-flue-even seems to be refreshing. In practice, it is unlikely that you will unload millions of dollars for primary your own team is a) is unlikely to occur and b) colossally stupid.
Let me be clear: Democrats should resist the temptation to attack their own holders and openly avoid inexpensive gadgets to be perceived as young or cool.
So what should Democrats do?
First of all, recognize that the top of the ticket is everything, and that this choice will not be made in 2028. The next candidate for the Democratic presidential election will define the party brand. In the meantime, no one knows or cares only if the deputy deputy whip is chic or if the Democratic representative of the Armed Services Committee has a great presence on social networks.
In addition, while the holidays can Try to select a certain standard support type, the history is not great. If the GOP establishment made their way in 2016, we would have seen a ticket associate a 45 -year -old Cuban man with a 44 -year -old Indian woman. But there is a reason why you have never seen any bumper stickers “Rubio / Haley”. The primary voters of the GOP had other ideas on this identity of “brand” and – by putting aside chaos and authoritarianism – this in a way worked (at least, electoral).
Second – something you can Control – Prioritize to do your job and help everyday people. Demonstrate authenticity and passion.
Talk as you think. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT.) Does this. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.) does it too. Not because they try to be cool – but because they are not. They show up, say what they believe and do not simulate it.
Do things that matter. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD.) I have just provided an example. Not exactly the trendiest guy in the room – but he recently flew to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man wrongly expelled under Trump and detained in a Salvadoral prison.
Van Hollen did not show up for cameras. It arose because it counted (for Garcia and for anyone cares about the regular procedure and the rule of law). And honestly? It's pretty cool.
Because when the chips are broken, authenticity, passion and substance are the only things that really matter. Get them well, and people might think: “Huh. They don't try to be cool. Maybe that means they are.”
And if not? At least, you are not the guy who hits climate change via a Tiktok filter while democracy collapses behind you.
Matt K. Lewis is the author of “Rich Politicians” and “too stupid to fail”.
