Democrats’ Cool Crisis: Authenticity or Artifice?
Matt K. Lewis, a senior columnist for the Daily Beast and author, has issued a stark critique of the Democratic Party’s efforts to rebrand itself, arguing that the path back to relevance lies not in manufactured coolness but in genuine authenticity. In an opinion piece published in the Los Angeles Times, Lewis suggests Democrats are trying to hard to be hip and trendy, when they need to be showing voters how they are helping.
Lewis’s argument centers on the idea that the Democratic Party, in its attempts to regain favor after Donald Trump’s victory, has fallen into the trap of prioritizing image over substance. He suggests that efforts to appear "cool" are often perceived as inauthentic and ultimately ineffective in winning back the trust and support of the American people.
He highlights the party’s seemingly conflicting approaches to rebranding, exemplified by the contrasting viewpoints of veteran strategist James Carville and rising star David Hogg, the new vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. Carville’s approach is to sit back and let the opposition damage itself, which Lewis admits might be an effective strategy for the midterms. However, he acknowledges that a political party "has to stand for something". Hogg, who wants to spend money on purging older members is bold but could backfire in the elections.
Lewis acknowledges that Hogg’s call for generational change resonates with a certain segment of the population, he views it as a superficial attempt to address deeper problems. He compares this type of rebranding to "divorced dads buying convertibles," suggesting that it’s a desperate attempt to recapture lost youth and relevance.
Lewis also takes aim at the concept of "dark woke," which he describes as a "fancy term for progressive politics dressed up in an edgy, confrontational style." He suggests that this approach, while perhaps appealing to a niche audience, ultimately alienates a broader base of voters who are turned off by its perceived aggression and insincerity.
The core of Lewis’s argument is that the Democratic Party’s brand has become "cooked" and "lame." He contrasts this with the party’s past glory days, when figures like Barack Obama and George Clooney were at the forefront, and the Democrats held a "monopoly on cultural capital." Lewis emphasizes the Democrats are the "hall monitors of American politics".
He highlights the Republican Party’s transformation into "chaos agents," "punk rockers," and the "party of middle fingers," suggesting that they have successfully tapped into a sense of rebellion and anti-establishment sentiment that resonates with many voters. The GOP was once the domain of "Dockers dads, pious prudes and Young Republicans."
Lewis argues that the Democratic Party needs to move beyond superficial rebranding efforts and embrace genuine authenticity, passion, and substance. He praises figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who he says "talk like you mean it" and "aren’t trying to be cool." He notes that these individuals resonate with voters because they are seen as genuine and sincere in their beliefs.
Lewis also highlights the example of Senator Chris Van Hollen, who recently traveled to El Salvador to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man wrongfully deported under the Trump administration. Lewis emphasizes that Van Hollen’s actions were not for show but were motivated by a genuine concern for justice and the rule of law.
Lewis concludes by arguing that authenticity, passion, and substance are the keys to making the Democratic Party’s brand "cool again." He warns against the pitfalls of prioritizing image over substance, cautioning that the party risks becoming a caricature of itself. He ends with a warning against "rapping about climate change through a TikTok filter while democracy collapses behind you."
In essence, Lewis’s critique serves as a wake-up call to the Democratic Party, urging it to prioritize genuine connection with voters over manufactured coolness. He suggests that the path back to relevance lies not in chasing trends or adopting superficial tactics but in embracing authenticity, passion, and substance.
