In a rare moment of clarity on CNN, anchor Abby Phillip pulled no punches: if Democrats want to claw their way back from the political abyss, it’s time to ditch some of their far-left dogma. And not just talk about reform—do it.

Phillip’s blunt warning came during a Tuesday night panel discussing a $20 million Democrat strategy project called “Speaking with American Men: A Strategic Plan.” The pricey initiative aims to decode how to win back young male voters who’ve been fleeing the party in droves since 2020.

CNN’s Hadas Gold floated one theory—funding “sleeper” podcasts that slowly edge into political influence, mimicking the rise of MAGA-aligned figures like Joe Rogan. But Phillip wasn’t buying it. “The only way that works is through authenticity,” she said, adding that Democrats’ current image is so toxic that no one wants to be associated with them—even secretly.

But then came the real kicker.

“They’re going to have to get rid of some sacred cows,” Phillip said, referring to the deeply embedded cultural policies and ideological purity tests pushed by the Democrat Party’s activist consultant class. “Everybody talks about authenticity until the rubber meets the road.”

Translation: Stop pretending to be moderate while worshiping the altar of woke ideology.

CNN contributor Shermichael Singleton echoed the sentiment. “To effectively target men of every color, they’re going to have to drastically change some of their positions, especially some of the cultural stuff,” he said. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

He’s probably right. Just ask Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who this week doubled down on her calls to abolish ICE—again—even as polls show overwhelming bipartisan support for deporting criminal illegal aliens.

Former Biden staffer Dan Koh suggested Democrats embrace tougher border policies and focus on upward mobility. But even he admitted those ideas are radioactive with the party’s base. The consultant class isn’t in the mood for realignment—they’re still clinging to the same identity-first playbook that cost them in 2024.

And that’s the problem. Democrats are trying to win back swing voters with a message crafted in faculty lounges and activist group chats. Every move they make to appear relatable comes off as staged. Every attempt to mimic authentic voices like Rogan falls flat.

Why? Because you can’t fake authenticity—and you definitely can’t fund it with a $20 million consultant boondoggle.

Instead of performing linguistic gymnastics to try and “speak American male,” Democrats might try listening to them. Start by abandoning policies that insult their intelligence, their values, and their way of life. But that would mean enraging their loudest donors and activists—the very people calling the shots.

So while CNN might have given Democrats the right diagnosis, it’s doubtful they’ll take the medicine. The sacred cows are sacred for a reason, and no one in charge is ready to slaughter them.

Until then, expect more empty buzzwords, more “studies,” and more election losses.