Democrats Reflect on Party Challenges Amid Culture Wars

Updated: 9/18/2025

Democrats Rob Flaherty Sydney Sweeney Culture Wars Political Strategy

What it is

In a recent op-ed, Rob Flaherty, a digital strategist for the Biden administration, acknowledged the ongoing struggles of the Democratic Party in the culture wars, stating, "Democrats keep losing the culture war, and with it, the narrative war that inevitably shapes who wins elections." His remarks come in the wake of a controversial ad campaign by American Eagle featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, which has sparked significant debate within political circles.

Democrats keep losing the culture war, and with it, the narrative war that inevitably shapes who wins elections.

Why it matters

Flaherty suggests that the party's failure to effectively leverage new digital communication models has hindered their ability to resonate with voters
Critics contend that the Democratic Party's reliance on radical fringes and social media influencers has alienated traditional working-class voters
This approach, according to some analysts, may have contributed to a perception of dishonesty among voters
He suggests that the party must adopt a more effective narrative strategy to regain trust among voters
However, critics maintain that without substantive policy changes, such efforts may fall flat
The need for a cohesive strategy that resonates with a broad spectrum of voters has never been more pressing

Key facts

Context is developing
Additional details to be confirmed

Timeline & recent coverage

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Primary sources

https://www.whitehouse.gov