Democrats’ Struggle to Reset: Why Their Efforts to Shed ‘Woke’ Image Fail

In a critical examination of the Democratic Party’s attempts to reset its image, Sasha Stone explores the recent efforts to tone down the “woke” movement and appeal to centrist voters. While the election of DNC Chair Ken Martin and Vice Chair David Hogg signals a shift toward more conventional leadership, Stone argues that the party’s internal issues—its deep-seated ideologies, refusal to acknowledge past failures, and failure to connect with a broader electorate—remain unresolved. The article critiques the Democrats for lacking a true reckoning with their own legacy, questioning whether the party can ever break free from the “crazy” perceptions that have alienated many Americans. As the party tries to reinvent itself, Stone contends that real change is unlikely without confronting the deeper issues at its core.