The Democratic Party Needs A Total Rebrand

And we need it yesterday

Ally Sammarco Mar 3

The Democratic Party has a branding problem. Yep, shocker.

Despite being the only party in this country that actually believes in democracy, fights for working people, and trying to keep the planet livable, Democrats still somehow struggle to sell themselves.

Meanwhile, Republicans have turned whining into a political strategy, made “owning the libs” a governing philosophy, and turned their base into a full-blown personality cult. And yet, they manage to make themselves look like the ones fighting for America. That’s branding.

So, what’s the fix?

Take the Flag Back

At some point, Republicans decided they owned patriotism. They wrapped themselves in the flag, turned it into a partisan symbol, and convinced millions of Americans that they are the only ones who love this country. And instead of fighting for that imagery, Democrats let it happen.

It’s time to take the flag back.

The Democratic Party is the one actually fighting for American values: democracy, freedom, and opportunity. Meanwhile, the GOP is banning books, rolling back rights, and openly embracing authoritarianism. That’s not patriotism. That’s nationalism wrapped in grievance politics.

Democrats need to make patriotism part of their core message. Not in a cheesy, flag-waving-for-the-sake-of-it kind of way, but by making it clear that protecting democracy, defending freedoms, and standing up for everyday Americans is the most patriotic thing you can do.

That means:

• Campaign imagery that’s unapologetically red, white, and blue. No more letting MAGA mobs turn the flag into a prop for insurrectionists.

• Messaging that makes it clear: Republicans talk about loving America. Democrats are the ones actually protecting it.

• Showing up in rural America, small towns, and places that have been written off as "too red." The flag belongs to everyone, not just people with an R next to their name.

It’s simple: Democrats should be the party of real American values—freedom, fairness, and democracy. If the GOP wants to keep calling itself "patriotic" while trying to overthrow elections, let them. Democrats should unapologetically own the flag because they're the ones actually fighting for what it represents.

Make Democrats Cool Again

Somewhere along the way, the Democratic Party has become the party of nerds—the responsible, reasonable, fact-checking adults in the room. And while competence is great (really, it is), people don’t vote based on a 12-page policy breakdown. They vote based on energy, confidence, and—yes—vibes.

The GOP understands this. That’s why Trump gets away with saying absolutely nothing while still dominating the news cycle. He’s not offering policies; he’s offering a feeling.

Democrats need to stop ceding all the political energy to Republicans. The party has some of the most dynamic, engaging, and likable politicians in the country. So why aren’t they treated like political rockstars?

Gavin Newsom is literally challenging red-state governors on Fox News. That’s the energy we want. Lean into it.

Also, young people decide elections. They want leaders who are bold, interesting, and not afraid to call out BS when they see it. Democrats should be showing up on their platforms, meeting them where they are, and making it clear that voting blue isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the cool thing to do in 2025—and beyond.

Democrats have the policies. They have the track record. They just need to make people want to be part of their movement. And that starts by acting like a party people want to be part of.

Time for a Full Rebrand

Like I said, the good news is the policies are already there. The problem isn’t what Democrats stand for—it’s how they sell it. We love America, we are patriots, we are working for you, and we are going to call out BS when we see it. If the Democratic Party wants to win in 2026, 2028, and beyond, it needs a full, unapologetic rebrand. Not later. Now.