Did you ever wonder if the Progressive Democrats need a more progressive symbol than a donkey?

[Joe Nation]

I mean, for a party that is supposed to represent progressive ideals, the donkey says any but progressiveness. Any thoughts on what the new symbol should be if you could pick it? It doesn't even have to be an animal. I'm thinking maybe an eagle or maybe something celestial like the earth, the universe, etc.

What would you suggest to bring this party into the 21st century and excite the younger generation?

[awesomerwb1]

1. An eagle?

With USA! USA! USA! below it?

Paging Stephen Colbert....

[Initech]

22. At least eagles like Colbert!

They don't like Trump!

[Joe Nation]

40. It would be taking ownership of an already beloved national symbol.

That can't be bad even as commercials fade into the past.

[Qutzupalotl]

51. Let Republicans have the Russian bear. n/t

[demmiblue]

2. ...

[octoberlib]

3. Why would changing a symbol excite

young people? I don’t think they’re that shallow.

[Joe Nation]

41. Do you not know any young people or what?

They are for the most part completely shallow and self-absorbed and I work on a college campus so I know a few. It's kind of their thing.

[WePurrsevere]

4. I know donkeys, donkeys kick ass. I'm good with that. nt

[spicysista]

5. Actually, the donkey is pretty perfect.

It's the ultimate beast of burden. No matter the obstacles, it will stubbornly chug forward. It will continue, tirelessly, on its determined path with a nearly unmatched dedication. It's humble appearance and gentle nature is kinda perfect.

[Leith]

23. I Thought the Same Thing

The donkey isn't glamorous, but it works hard and gets things done.

But, piss one off and it has one hell of a kick.

[qazplm135]

6. Broccoli Sprout?

Artichoke Heart?
Arugula Leaf?

[Hortensis]

9. :) Kale? I've always admired Canada's maple leaf,

and kale's long enduring, symbolizing hope for the future, and full of nutritional goodness.

[Hortensis]

7. I've often felt Democrats need a more appropriate symbol

than one that originated as a slur on one of the western and southern conservatives who destroyed our original, magnificent Democratic Republican Party by flooding into it.

The party of Jefferson, Madison and others chose a tricolor cockade for a symbol, carrying over from the French revolution.



But for now the Democratic Party is too busy fighting rising fascism to fuss over symbols..

If a faction feels a need for its own symbol, though, why not? The Progressive Party of early last century had the bull moose. But that party quickly failed, of course. And then those progressives and the remaining progressive wing of the Republican Party became Democrats (they took back the moribund Democratic Party from its knuckledragger conservatives, leaving the Repub party to its conservative wing). As another relic of male control, though, it doesn't seem much of a step up from an ass.



What about the bird that landed on Sanders' podium? That seemed to inspire many at the time.

[Me.]

57. "As another relic of male control, though, it doesn't seem much of a step up from an ass"

[Hortensis]

64. :)

As a woman, I do at least see an argument for kale.

[NurseJackie]

8. Oh, good lord!

Nothing is ever good enough, is it? It's just one backhanded swipe after another against the Democratic Party, it's tiresome and petty.

What would you suggest to bring this party into the 21st century and excite the younger generation?

Personally, I have a much higher opinion and higher expectations of the "younger generation" that you do.

I don't think they are going to make their voting decisions based on superficial things like "which party has the coolest symbol or logo".

[Hortensis]

10. :) What we need is a donkey that could kick young ass

and wake it up to the giant threats from the right. They might even like democracy enough to spend a half hour once every 2 years voting for it if they looked around and realized what it is.

This all reminds me of a song from when I was young. John Lennon was no admirer of the Our Revolution et al of those days.

Revolution
The Beatles

You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world

But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be
All right, all right, all right

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can

But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be
All right, all right, all right

You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead

But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be
All right, all right, all right
All right, all right, all right
All right, all right, all right
All right, all right

[oberliner]

38. John Lennon was no admirer of the Our Revolution et al of those days?

Have you ever listened to Some Time in New York City?

[Hortensis]

42. Don't mistake those whose reason for existence

is to oppose those who have power to make change with the people who make change happen.

Huge difference and the one is never the other. By definition and, sadly, disposition.

[betsuni]

17. +1

[mcar]

30. I share your eye roll

The symbol is bad!
The slogan is bad!
The message is bad!

[FSogol]

11. LOL. Glad all the other problems are solved!

Do you seriously think the Democrats aren't in the 21st century?

[FSogol]

12. Your Uncle Sam avatar is laughing at you.

[NCTraveler]

13. Next time you are around the Grand Canyon....

Use one of the donkey services to get you to the bottom. What amazing animals that simply get it done and get no respect.

[NCTraveler]

14. An eagle on the shoulder of Uncle Sam

With the words "I Am Joe Nation"

[betsuni]

15. Progressive Democrats, progressive symbol, progressive ideals, progressiveness.

Why the hell don't you think the Democratic Party isn't "into the 21st century"? (You need to work on your act, too transparent.)

[lunasun]

27. ikr

[Tarheel_Dem]

58. +1

[Bayard]

16. A donkey is a great symbol!

They are smart, sure-footed, stubborn, doggedly determined, and cute as hell. And they do not suffer fools gladly......

[demmiblue]

21. Lol... I think we should also steal the elephant symbol!

Smart, thoughtful, clever, compassionate and very family/community oriented.



Honestly, there is no animal that could represent the blah party appropriately.

[Bayard]

32. Yes, its a shame the noble elephant got stuck with rethug's

A snake would have been much more appropriate.......

[BannonsLiver]

18. This is actually progress.

People have moved on from shitting on Tom Perez and the like, to whinging about donkeys.

[Hekate]

35. Okay

[Corvo Bianco]

63. Good point. We'll always be arguing better to argue about this. nt!

[NightWatcher]

19. Nope, that's silly and I've never thought about it.

[Blue_true]

20. Silhouette of a working man and woman.

How did the donkey become our party symbol anyway?

[brooklynite]

25. Ask google and you shall recieve...

The now-famous Democratic donkey was first associated with Democrat Andrew Jackson's 1828 presidential campaign. His opponents called him a jackass (a donkey), and Jackson decided to use the image of the strong-willed animal on his campaign posters. Later, cartoonist Thomas Nast used the Democratic donkey in newspaper cartoons and made the symbol famous.

Nast invented another famous symbol—the Republican elephant. In a cartoon that appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1874, Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion's skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled “The Republican Vote.” That's all it took for the elephant to become associated with the Republican Party.

Democrats today say the donkey is smart and brave, while Republicans say the elephant is strong and dignified.

https://www.infoplease.com/history-and-government/elections/democratic-donkey-and-republican-elephant

[Blue_true]

46. Thanks for the explanation. Interesting, but I would like another symbol. nt

[Joe Nation]

28. That's a great and more accurate characterization of the Party.

[Blue_true]

47. Exactly.

I don't understand how anyone who lives paycheck to paycheck vote republican. That is like slitting both wrists while sitting in a tub of ice water, death is slow, but unless someone else intervenes (that someone is always democrats), death is certain.

[DFW]

24. I wouldn't be opposed to kicking some Republican ass right about now n/t

[Blue_true]

48. Whoa, part time euro guy

If you kick their ass, republicans would likely take us out on NATO, then we will really be screwed.

[DFW]

55. I was speaking about the ballot box of course

[Blue_true]

62. Good, violence is never a good route, especially in my state of Florida.

I ignore one provocative fool per week, because a lot of them ride around with guns and an itchy trigger finger.

[DFW]

65. Agreed--it's their route, not ours. n/t

[Blue_true]

67. Yep. nt

[vi5]

26. Don't care what the symbol is, as long as they act progressive....

...I honestly don't care if our symbol is the North Ugandan fruit fly, as long as we have strong, assertive, passionate, and vocal Democrats willing to fight for the ideals and goals of our party.

[rusty fender]

29. Since you asked...

the pangolin

(I actually love Pangolins )

[moriah]

31. I'm quite fond of our mascot.

They're loud as hell when necessary -- can be heard for over three kilometers at full bray. And they don't shut up.

They aren't docile like horses, having a far stronger self-preservation streak. Trying to bully, frighten, or "break" a donkey in a method that employs violence doesn't work -- but if you teach them to trust you, they will work hard. Yet still balk when they see something that looks fucked up. Still no blind trust even when with a trusted handler.

They naturally support birth control -- the presence of a foal will often keep a jenny from entering estrus. And extremely protective of the young. Even horse foals will go to jennies for support after being weaned over their own mothers. They are also remarkable, if seemingly unlikely, sheep guardians.

Because they don't just fight for themselves, but their young and other vulnerable animals that they live with.

And a fighting jackass will do you some hurt, fast.

[H2O Man]

33. No.

I don't think so.

[Hekate]

34. Donkeys kick righteous ass. Next question?

[Stinky The Clown]

36. Why the capital P? Is that a different party?

Your post is divisive. The byword is UNITY.

Your question is valid (but sorta silly) if you ask it of ALL Democrats.

[Joe Nation]

39. Not in the slightest.

In fact, I'd say it was inspired. Is there any reason we can unite around the idea of looking to the future rather than the distant past? Certainly, the Democratic Party has change significantly over time so why not change with the times lest we find ourselves stuck in the past like the GOP.

I appreciate you bestowing validity on my question but it is only silly if you can't imagine the possibility. As a progressive, I like to think that imaging what can be is sort of what we are all about.

I think something as simple as a logo change could energize the party, draw in new members, and launch us into the future. Some folks can't imagine that I suppose.

[Stinky The Clown]

44. No problem with change. It is how we grow and adapt.

BUT

Starting out with capital P “Progressive Democrat” leaves people out. In a word, it is patently divisive. Not good in this time of an existential threat from the GOPee AND the Russians. Yanno?

Carry on.

[LexVegas]

37. ...

[JI7]

43. i think some who claim to be progressive are more about image

and feeling they are better than others.

but little interest on doing the hard work when it comes to issues and passing policy. that stuff is too boring.

[LanternWaste]

45. My only real suggestion would be...

"What would you suggest to bring this party into the 21st century and excite the younger generation?"

To strengthen the realization that commercial branding contains zero calories, is empty in message, and that policy stands above logos.

[Joe Nation]

49. AND just happens to be as effective as hell

Face it, the GOP out brands us at every turn with simple-minded drivel. They are better at messaging, better at branding, and better at convincing people of things that are absolutely antithetical to their own best interests. I'm not suggesting we become what they are but if we keep bringing a knife to a gun fight, we'll lose every time, and we outnumber them.

We are doing plenty already to bring the party into the 21st century and a little re-branding wouldn't hurt that effort. The policies are solid, the messaging is weak. If changing a simple thing like a logo gets that message across better, so be it.

[Jamaal510]

50. I never liked

the donkey logo either, for a variety of reasons. I don't exactly know what new logo I'd come up with, but it would be something that represents fairness, common sense, intellectualism, and inclusiveness.

[Joe Nation]

53. Exactly, have you ever met anyone that identifies with this symbol?

I haven't and I'm a life-long democrat. We need to get better at the messaging game. A new logo could start that process. Something all of the factions of the Democratic Party could unite under.

[stonecutter357]

52. cool story bro !

[dameatball]

54. GOP needs to change from an elephant to a bear

[LuvLoogie]

56. A dolphin with cool tats and a nose ring!

[phylny]

59. Which do you like best?

[link:[img][/img]|

or

[img][/img]

[0rganism]

60. no, not really

if you have a better idea for a symbol, i recommend getting a solid representation prepped and bringing it to your local Democratic hq and shopping it around. while you're there, maybe man a phone bank or stuff some envelopes or sign up to canvass a neighborhood.

[Corvo Bianco]

61. I'm not sure a political party needs a mascot

If they do require mascots my doggy would do fine

[randr]

66. That Donkey needs to start kickin some ass

[tirebiter]

68. You gotta get behind the mule

Crossbreed of a donkey and a horse works for me

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="

" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Joe Nation]

69. Thanks for the input

Not too many ideas but a lot of input.