Teixeira obviously wants the Democratic Party to correct its course. But the change that is necessary on all three fronts, culture, economics, and patriotism, is broad and far-reaching. It will take a long time to put into effect. On those topics, at least, the party is beyond saving for this year’s midterm elections — and perhaps for the next presidential election, too. Perhaps the Republican Party’s problems will outweigh those of the Democrats and the Democrats will squeak by. There might be short-term reprieves, but not in the long term, unless Democrats change.

“A Democratic Party that occupies the cultural center ground, promotes an abundance agenda and is unabashedly patriotic has a real shot at domination given Republicans’ serious problems and weaknesses,” Teixeira writes. “Conversely, a Democratic Party that does not rebrand in this way dooms American politics to continued stalemate and polarization. That is not a pleasant prospect.”