Democratic Strategists Admit Party's Brand Is Struggling, Call for Drastic Changes

The Democratic Party’s brand is "in the toilet," according to strategists speaking Monday in a candid discussion hosted by The New York Times. The written online conversation, moderated by opinion writer Frank Bruni, included progressive campaign consultant Anat Shenker-Osorio, Democratic communications strategist Lis Smith, and former Ohio Representative Tim Ryan.

The trio dissected the party’s challenges following disappointing performances in recent elections and identified urgent steps to redefine its image.

Lis Smith, a seasoned Democratic strategist, didn’t mince words about the party’s state. "The Democratic brand is in the toilet," she said. "Many of the Democrats who succeeded this cycle—our best over-performers in House races, for instance—are people who ran against the Democratic Party brand.

Trump not only tore down the blue wall in the industrial Midwest, but he also expanded his vote the most in our bluest and most urban areas."

Bruni pressed Smith on her harsh assessment. "The toilet? Yikes, Lis, that’s severe. Do you really think it’s that bad?" he asked. Smith didn’t back down, arguing that when candidates feel compelled to distance themselves from their own party to win, it’s a clear indicator of serious issues.

She highlighted that while down-ballot Democratic candidates were strong, the "D" next to their names signified the "status quo" that many voters rejected.

Tim Ryan echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that Democrats had failed to redefine their stance on cultural issues and had been typecast as the party of the status quo. Anat Shenker-Osorio, however, went a step further, quipping, "Toilets have clear utility, so perhaps the comparison is even ‘generous.’"

One of the recurring themes in the conversation was the party’s perceived elitism and its alienation of working-class voters. "The sign outside HQ now should say, 'Beware: Entering an Echo Chamber,’" Ryan remarked.

He proposed relocating the Democratic National Committee headquarters to a working-class city such as Youngstown, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, or Milwaukee to send a bold signal of reconnection to everyday Americans. "I am dead serious that it should not be in Washington or anywhere on the coasts," he said.

Bruni also questioned whether Democrats’ close association with Hollywood celebrities had contributed to their image problem. "Do Democrats need to stop mooning over Hollywood celebrities and tugging them en masse onto the stage?" he asked.

Ryan agreed, suggesting that the party’s reliance on star power might alienate voters who don’t resonate with elite culture.

Smith called for a deeper analysis of why some Democrats outperformed expectations in the recent election cycle.

She pointed out that successful candidates shared three key traits: they ran against the party brand, addressed voter frustrations over border security and public safety, and focused on a forward-looking vision rather than attacking Donald Trump.

"I’d also throw in another thing—these members were among the first to call for Joe Biden to step down as nominee," Smith added. "They weren’t part of the group that told voters not to believe what they’d seen with their own eyes in that first debate."

The panel’s discussion came after a Democratic polling firm revealed that many voters were disillusioned with the party, perceiving it as no longer being a champion for the working class. One participant in the study remarked, "They’re not a friend of the working class anymore."

Ultimately, the strategists agreed that bold action is needed to rebuild trust and reconnect with voters. Whether by addressing cultural and economic concerns, shedding the image of elitism, or relocating headquarters to better reflect the values of middle America, the Democratic Party faces a critical moment to redefine itself and reclaim its status as a party for all Americans.