LET DON DRAPER be your role model, Democrats and Republicans (Wikipedia).

So, I’m sitting there watching a parade of commercials – interrupted from time to time by a football game – and I’m thinking … why do the beer and pharma companies spend so much on their little mini-dramas about how manly you are if you drink a certain cerveza, or how much love you will get from your family if you swallow a certain pill … and then it hit me.

Because it works.

Democrats are depressed because they lost. Republicans will soon be anxious about their dilemma of trying to find someone with the same charisma as Donald Trump.

In short, each of them is – or will be – searching for a “brand” that will go beyond just one individual. So here’s my free advice.

Instead of spending 90 jillion bucks crammed into a two-month period every four years, advertise the message of your party all year long. Every year. Build up an image that won’t rely on an individual.

You think people drink Coca Cola because they like the CEO? You think folks drive Toyotas because they admire Aki Toyoda?

Democrats, unleash your inner Don Draper. Let’s see heart-warming tales of elderly people rejoicing in having their Social Security checks. Or heart-broken families terrified of huge medical bills because Obamacare is at risk.

Republicans, you can do this, too. Show cute children getting presents because tax cuts allow their parents plenty of take-home. Or maybe immigrants deported back home in Nicaragua, saying, “Me alegro de estar de vuelta en Managua. Gracias, republicanos.” (“I’m glad to be back in Managua. Thanks, Republicans.”)

Of course, to be effective, these messages – as with beer ads – would have to be shown all year long. It would be like all-elections, all-the time! Democracy 24-7!

On the other hand … maybe my idea needs some refinement. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Or a bad thing.