LET'S TACKLE POLITICS IN AMERICA

REBRANDING AMERICAN POLITICS: A FIVE-PARTY SYSTEM THAT JUST MIGHT SAVE THANKSGIVING DINNER

Brought to you by the folks at Fisher Design, because if we can fix brand portfolios, surely we can fix democracy. Right?

Creative Challenge Accepted by: Nick Schultz (ECD) and Al Hidalgo (Art Director), Fisher Design
Approximate 8-10 Minute Read

Let’s face it: politics in the United States has become the conversational equivalent of stepping barefoot through your (kids) Legos—it’s painful, shocking, and likely to result in you adding a few (more) dollars to the “swear jar”. Friends and family members who once debated the merits of pie flavors at Thanksgiving are now duking it out over political ideologies. It’s exhausting.

For decades, the U.S. has operated under a two-party system, with Democrats and Republicans taking turns at running the country like a dysfunctional divorced couple co-parenting 330 million people. This binary setup forces people into one of two broad ideological camps, leaving little room for nuance, alternative viewpoints, or those who simply don’t fit neatly into either category. The result? Increasing polarization, frustration, and an all-or-nothing approach to governance.

So, as experts in brand strategy, positioning, and communication, we at Fisher Design thought: What if America’s political system wasn’t just a two-party tug-of-war? What if, instead, we diversified the portfolio and launched a five-party system? This isn't an uncommon or unproven strategy in global politics. But to make it a bit more fun, let’s take inspiration from one of the most well-structured sorting systems in pop culture—the Hogwarts houses.

Welcome to the Great American Political Rebrand. Five new parties, each with a clear identity, a compelling backstory, and a visual system that’s instantly recognizable. Will this solve our problems? Gosh no! But will it get people us thinking in about our political divide in new ways? That’s the goal.

The Roosevelts – "Speak Loudly, Carry a Big Vision."
Named After: Both Teddy and Franklin D. Roosevelt, because why pick just one Roosevelt when you can have both?

The Roosevelts are the progressive doers—big on social safety nets, environmental stewardship, and bold national projects. They are equally at home fighting monopolies or building national parks. They believe in strong leadership, big dreams, and policies that aim to improve life for the most people possible.

Who They Appeal To:

• This party is for progressives, environmentalists, social reformers, and big-picture thinkers who want action over rhetoric. If you’ve ever campaigned for universal healthcare or hugged a tree, this is your squad.

Visual Identity:

• A stoic bull moose, symbolizing both determination and optimism. The party’s colors are rich golds and purples, reflecting prosperity and conservation.
  
  

The Hamiltonians – "Think Fast, Build Faster."
Named After: Alexander Hamilton, the man who never stopped talking, thinking, and writing.

The Hamiltonians believe in progress, innovation, and never wasting their shot. They are the party of entrepreneurs, futurists, and anyone who has ever voluntarily read The Federalist Papers for fun. Their platform is built on economic dynamism, technological advancement, and a strong central government that can get things done without waiting for everyone’s permission. They have no patience for inefficiency but do enjoy a well-placed rap battle.

Who They Appeal To:

• This party attracts tech moguls, venture capitalists, economists, urban professionals, and people who thrive in fast-paced environments. If you’ve ever uttered the phrase, "Move fast and break things," this is your party.

• A bolt of electricity crossed with a quill—because this party is all about the balance of bold action and sharp intellect. Expect futuristic blues and metallic silvers to convey a sense of forward-thinking momentum.
  
  

The Lincolnians – "Hold the Union Together."
Named After: Abraham Lincoln, the guy who had the impossible job of keeping this whole experiment intact.

The Lincolnians are all about unity, compromise, and keeping the republic from tearing itself apart. They appeal to moderates, centrists, and anyone who wishes we could just agree on basic facts again. They believe in strong institutions, big-tent coalition-building, and doing what’s necessary to maintain national stability—even if that means sometimes being the boring adult in the room.

Who They Appeal To:

• Ideal for centrists, traditionalists, consensus-seekers, and anyone exhausted by constant political bickering. If you enjoy finding middle ground and think grandstanding is a waste of time, you belong here.

• The iconic Abe himself. Earthy tones of deep browns and greens evoke steadiness and reliability.

The Franklinauts – "Work Hard, Play Hard, Think Hard."
Named After: Benjamin Franklin, the most interesting man in American history.

The Franklinauts believe in pragmatism, scientific inquiry, and a little bit of fun. They think government should be practical, experimental, and driven by logic rather than ideology. They also believe that life is too short to take everything so seriously. If you appreciate good humor, public libraries, and a government that runs efficiently while also funding the arts, this is your party.
 
Who They Appeal To:

• This party attracts scientists, engineers, pragmatists, and anyone who enjoys a well-reasoned debate over a pint of beer. If you believe in progress without dogma, you’ve found your people.

• A kite with a key attached, struck by lightning, symbolizing both discovery and a touch of eccentric genius. The colors are bright blues and yellows to reflect curiosity and optimism.

The Madisonians – "Small Government, Big Ideas."
Named After: James Madison, father of the Constitution and defender of small government.

The Madisonians believe in personal liberty, individual responsibility, and a government that knows when to get out of the way. They are champions of free markets, constitutional originalism, and intellectual debate. If you’ve ever said, “I don’t need the government to tell me what to do,” you might be a Madisonian.

Who They Appeal To:

• This party resonates with libertarians, constitutionalists, free-market capitalists, and people who keep a pocket-sized Constitution on them at all times. If you think government should be seen and not heard, welcome home.

Visual Identity:

• An eternal flame representing both intellectualism and individual enlightenment. The color scheme is a mix of rich parchment tones and fiery reds.
  
  

Communication Strategies: Where Can These Five Parties Find Common Ground?
Just as astrology suggests which signs are most and least compatible, our five-party system also has areas of overlap—and friction. While no party is likely to agree on everything, there are key areas where alliances can be formed and compromises made. If a coalition government were needed (which in this five-party system would almost certainly be the case), here’s where we think handshake moments might happen.

Hamiltonians & Roosevelts – "Innovation Meets Ambition"

• Core Common Ground: Both parties are forward-thinking and embrace bold, systemic change. The Hamiltonians focus on technological and economic progress, while the Roosevelts prioritize social progress and public infrastructure. They both see big, ambitious projects as the key to national growth—whether it’s space exploration, renewable energy, or nationwide broadband expansion.

• Ice-Breaker Conversation Starter: "What’s the next moonshot project America should take on?" Both parties love a grand vision and could happily debate whether high-speed rail, AI-driven government efficiency, or a Roosevelt-style ‘New Green Deal’ is the way forward.

• Core Common Ground: While the Lincolnians prioritize national unity and compromise, the Madisons emphasize small government and constitutional fidelity. However, both share a respect for structure, institutions, and governance, even if they differ on the role of federal power. Both parties are also champions of preserving the republic and ensuring that laws, rather than personal whims, dictate the future.

• Ice-Breaker Conversation Starter: "What’s the greatest American document—The Constitution or The Gettysburg Address?" This could spark a lively yet respectful debate about foundational ideals and the balance between government structure and national unity.

• Core Common Ground: The Franklins are the easiest to get along with because, like their namesake, they value pragmatism, curiosity, and humor. They are likely to find some agreement with every other party—whether it’s engaging in free-market policies with the Madisons, innovation initiatives with the Hamiltonians, or infrastructure investment with the Roosevelts. They bring levity to difficult conversations and focus on efficiency over ideology.

• Ice-Breaker Conversation Starter: "What’s the best idea America has ever stolen and improved?" This could lead to a discussion on innovation, reinvention, and the importance of learning from history—something the Franklins deeply appreciate.

• Core Common Ground: Both parties believe in doing what is necessary to protect the nation, though the Lincolnians are more focused on stability and the Roosevelts on systemic change. Their shared respect for strong leadership, institution-building, and big-picture governance means they could work together on national security, infrastructure, and long-term economic planning.

• Ice-Breaker Conversation Starter: "What’s the greatest example of American leadership in history?" Both parties admire strong leaders, and a discussion of FDR, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt could be both historically rich and surprisingly unifying.

• Core Common Ground: The Hamiltonians and Madisons are both pro-business, pro-innovation, and skeptical of excessive bureaucracy. They both favor an economic environment where competition thrives and where personal liberty drives the economy forward. While they may clash on federal oversight, they can agree that government should be efficient, transparent, and supportive of progress rather than an obstacle.

• Ice-Breaker Conversation Starter: "Which is the best engine of progress—entrepreneurs or constitutional protections?" This would lead to an animated discussion on whether great ideas drive success, or if a stable government framework is the necessary foundation for all innovation.

The Big Takeaway: More Choices, Less Chaos?
The idea of a five-party system might sound wild, but at its core, it’s about giving people more choices and creating a political landscape where people feel represented without being forced into binary opposition. Just like a well-structured brand portfolio, a multi-party system could create more nuance, more collaboration, and—dare we say—more civility.

At the very least, if we can get through Thanksgiving dinner without someone flipping a table, we’ll call it a win.