# Thesis: the Democrats are no longer cool. **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 17, 2014, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837 "2014-11-17T04:29:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/21 "2014-11-17T14:08:31Z")
This whole “Dem’s bench is decimated” meme is nonsense. It’s not like you get executed if you lose an election. It’s not even like you’re unelectable. People lose elections and go on to win other ones all the time. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/22 "2014-11-17T14:15:14Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Okay, I take this back – **BobLibDem** is arguing against this. To this point, **adaher** is right – not that we should necessarily trust military vets more than non-military vets, but for political candidates, military service does add credibility for the public at large. **adaher** is right that the Democrats should make efforts to recruit veterans to run for office, and he’s wrong if he’s implying that Democrats aren’t trying to do this. Not so sure. Non-veteran Clinton beat war heroes George HW Bush and Bob Dole. Non-war veteran (some say draft dodging) George W Bush beat\* Triple-Purple Heart war hero John Kerry. And of course non-veteran Obama beat a former POW. \*with considerable help of the stolen election in Ohio. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/23 "2014-11-17T14:19:45Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Not so sure. Non-veteran Clinton beat war heroes George HW Bush and Bob Dole. Non-war veteran (some say draft dodging) George W Bush beat\* Triple-Purple Heart war hero John Kerry. And of course non-veteran Obama beat a former POW. > \*with considerable help of the stolen election in Ohio. I’m not saying military vets are unbeatable, just that military service (assuming it was Honorable) is a positive for a candidate. This seems pretty undeniable. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/24 "2014-11-17T14:54:40Z")
There may have been a moment or two during my lifetime when one major party or the other was cool, but any such moments were brief and passing. And the libertarians’ brief moment of coolness has passed as well. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/25 "2014-11-17T15:40:04Z")
You guys just don’t get it. This wasn’t just an off-year election that the Pubbies won big, this was the first major shift noticeable from the fundamental sea-change shift in the electorate, the dawning of a new era of Republican dominance! The rise of black Republican leaders like Alan West is key to the shift in that demographic as black Americans firmly reject the politics of dependance and resolve to support their communities with baked goods and church based rummage sales. These fledgling business-based efforts will give rise to a new generation of entrepreneurs and “go-getters” who will, naturally, gravitate to the party that offers them freedom from government interference. Latinos will totally bail on Obama era politics, and will not be fooled by such nonsense as the Dream program. They will finally recognize that their truest freedom lies in the time-honored system of ducking La Migra and groveling for sub-minimum wage stoop labor jobs. This offers security and familiarity, as opposed to the uncertainty and risk of legal residence. They have a tough enough time getting work for $7.50/hr, how much worse would it be if the wage were $10? And the youth vote has matured in the intervening years, now they eschew video games and shiny gadgets for the bridge and canasta of their revered elders. who’s wisdom and probity they have finally come to recognize. Sure hope so, anyway, getting mighty tired of being called “Sir” with that faint hint of scorn and pity for the decrepitly doomed… Yessir, nothing but blue skies and sunshine ahead for the Republican Party. And not even to mention the wholesale gratitude of a nation finally freed from voter fraud! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/26 "2014-11-17T17:57:02Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I do think there’s something to the OP. The Democrats are pretty old, I mean their biggest young up and coming star is 65. The Republicans by contrast have a deep bench full of people in their 40s and 50s and even a couple in their 30s. > > The Democrats badly need some new blood, and by new blood I don’t mean find another Nunn, Udall, Cuomo, or Kennedy that hasn’t run for office yet. Get yourselves some Iraq vets. Those were all the rage in 2006, but mostly forgotten by the Democrats since then. > > Now that I think about it, watch out for Beau Biden. He’s AG of Delaware, presumably he’ll be governor in a few years, and very likely President by 2028 or 2032. Cool is not the same as young. Tony Bennett is cool. Marco Rubio is not cool. Ted Cruz is _definitely_ not cool. ---
**Author:** ![WreckingCrew](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wreckingcrew/32/4080_2.png) [@WreckingCrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WreckingCrew)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/27 "2014-11-17T18:10:20Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > And of course non-veteran Obama beat a former POW. Well you know what they say, America doesn’t like quitters. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/28 "2014-11-17T18:34:27Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > \*with considerable help of the stolen election in Ohio. “When my side wins, it’s clean and fair, but when their side wins, it’s cheating?” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/29 "2014-11-17T18:46:33Z")
Well, it was the exit polling, after all. And I can understand it, sort of. If I had voted for Bush, I sure as hell wouldn’t admit it to anyone. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/30 "2014-11-17T21:11:03Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Cool is not the same as young. Tony Bennett is cool. Marco Rubio is not cool. Ted Cruz is _definitely_ not cool. Every Ron Paul supporter I’ve ever met or seen has been under 25. That guy is definitely old, but a lot of young people found him very cool. I also recall a lot of support on college campuses for Nader in 2000, and he was in his late 60s at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/31 "2014-11-17T21:19:57Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > Every Ron Paul supporter I’ve ever met or seen has been under 25. That guy is definitely old, but a lot of young people found him very cool. Yeah, but were they cool? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/32 "2014-11-17T21:31:18Z")
I am totally into being so cool that people who think _they’re_ cool don’t realize how cool I am. That’s groovy. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/33 "2014-11-17T21:52:04Z")
The Republicans should nominate a minority and /or female vice presidential candidate every time now. Not Palin; maybe like Susana Martinez. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/34 "2014-11-17T21:59:00Z")
Can you get them to nominate Bobby Jindal? Please? ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/35 "2014-11-17T22:26:10Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > So the Democrats aren’t cool. Of course that doesn’t mean that the Republicans are totally cool, but a few of them are a least a little bit more cool than they used to be. There is some truth in the OP, but it misses the mark by assuming a false equivalency. Democrats are _supposed_ to be cool. They bill themselves as the “progressive” party, and in order to present a consistent brand image, they need to look and sound convincing as the party of new, fresh, and forward-thinking. That doesn’t mean they can’t run old candidates or must abandon old policies, just that that can’t be all they have. Republicans bill themselves as “conservatives” and thus need to present an image of caution, sobriety, wisdom and prudence. That doesn’t mean they have to be old and stodgy; it’s better if they aren’t. But it’s not going to be as big a harm to them as it is to the Dems; on the other hand a Republican campaigning on a desire to “fundamentally transform America” would sound all wrong. Knowing where to emulate and where to differentiate is a huge part of brand marketing. 21st century politics is 90% marketing. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/36 "2014-11-17T23:26:42Z")
> [@furt](#): > > There is some truth in the OP, but it misses the mark by assuming a false equivalency. > > Democrats are _supposed_ to be cool. They bill themselves as the “progressive” party, and in order to present a consistent brand image, they need to look and sound convincing as the party of new, fresh, and forward-thinking. That doesn’t mean they can’t run old candidates or must abandon old policies, just that that can’t be all they have. > > Republicans bill themselves as “conservatives” and thus need to present an image of caution, sobriety, wisdom and prudence. That doesn’t mean they have to be old and stodgy; it’s better if they aren’t. But it’s not going to be as big a harm to them as it is to the Dems; on the other hand a Republican campaigning on a desire to “fundamentally transform America” would sound all wrong. > > Knowing where to emulate and where to differentiate is a huge part of brand marketing. 21st century politics is 90% marketing. There’s a school of thought which disagrees; that the style must counterbalance the substance. If you’re going to propose something new and revolutionary, you need the trappings of the presentation to be traditional and reassuring. If you haven’t anything new to say, do it in a style that’s cutting-edge so no one realizes you don’t have anything to say. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/37 "2014-11-18T03:38:04Z")
I think it was, especially in the Senate, just that a lot of Democrats got voted into marginal seats as part of an Obama wave in 2008 and were vulnerable. Plus, turnout was low. Democrats have more trouble with GOTV than Republicans. A lot of that is because the Democratic base, pretty much, is poor people, young people, and minorities. And poor people, young people, and minorities tend to suck when it comes to voter turnout. It’s the old joke about how a sunny election day is “Democratic Weather”. It was a midterm election, nobody really exciting was on the ballot, and it wasn’t all that important to most people. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/38 "2014-11-18T03:47:36Z")
If the party successfully making inroads on weed decriminalization isn’t seen as cool they may as well just set themselves on fire. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/39 "2014-11-18T04:05:12Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > There are plenty of “solid young” Democratic office-holders and potential future candidates. This “all the Democrats are old” stuff is just pure political hackery – what guys like Mark Halperin say on Morning Joe to sound edgy and truthy. But it’s crap… plenty of young Democratic state office holders. We won’t know which ones ‘take off’ until one of them actually takes off. > > The same goes for the Republicans, by the way. Each party only needs one charismatic and inspiring candidate. I was not trying to say that there aren’t any young Democratic leaders. More like the whole party just projects the image of being run by stodgy, old, out of touch people. If you ask an ordinary American to name Democratic politicians, they’ll probably name Obama, Hillary, Biden, Reid, and Pelosi. Who on that list has new and dynamic ideas, can connect with young voters, or offers a promising future? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2014, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837/40 "2014-11-18T04:22:43Z")
About the only political parties that I can think of that have ever pulled off “cool” were fascists like the Nazis. Snappy dressers, a love of super-weapons and very good at showmanship; it’s one of the reasons they make such good villains. But not so much good at _governing._ “Cool” and “good government” don’t really mix. I’d rather vote for un-cool people who _won’t_ open death camps. > [@marshmallow](#): > > If the party successfully making inroads on weed decriminalization isn’t seen as cool they may as well just set themselves on fire. It wouldn’t help; smoking a Democrat won’t make you high. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837.md?page=3)