Democrats Need to Go On the Offense

Dan Pfeiffer: “For as long as I’ve worked in politics, Democrats have had a learned helplessness when it comes to issues of war and peace. Against all evidence, we immediately assume we will lose the fight—and that Republicans and their media allies will be able to paint us as weak and unpatriotic. This mentality led many Democrats to greenlight the Iraq War despite serious misgivings.”

“The meta-politics of foreign policy is never the policy itself; it’s about strength. No matter the issue, equivocating or parroting your opponent’s position will always look weaker than boldly and authentically articulating your own.”

“I don’t know how many times we have to learn this lesson, but being Republican-lite never works—particularly on national security, where voters are looking for someone strong enough to protect them.”