The New York Times held a “written online conversation,” hosted by contributing Times opinion writer Frank Bruni, with progressive campaign consultant Anat Shenker-Osorio, Democratic communications strategist Lis Smith and former Ohio representative Tim Ryan to discuss the remains of the party after brutal losses in November.

“The Democratic brand is in the toilet,” Smith said. *“Many of the Democrats who succeeded this cycle — our best over-performers in House races, for instance — are people who ran against the Democratic Party brand. Trump tore down the blue wall in the industrial Midwest, but he also expanded his vote the most in our bluest and most urban areas.” *

“’The toilet’? Yikes, Lis, that’s severe. Do you really think it’s that bad?” Bruni asked.

“When the best way to win as a candidate is to run against your own party, it’s that bad. Our candidates down ballot are good. It’s what the ‘D’ next to their name means (the status quo) that people don’t like,” Smith said.

Ryan explained the Democrats “got pinned as the status quo party” and “failed to redefine themselves on the culture issues,” though Shenker-Osorio was more critical.

“Well … toilets have clear utility, so perhaps the comparison is even ‘generous,’” Shenker-Osorio said.

They also agreed the biggest issue was Democrats failing to repel the image of “elitism” over the working-class voter.