Republicans: Surrender Is Strength
The Republican convention appears united in supporting both a massive expansion of American military power and the withdrawal from engagement around the world.
If you don’t think about it, the theme sounds good. But it makes no real sense. What’s the point of expanding the military with the professed intention of not using it?
Foreign policy isn’t usually a major consideration for voters. But this it year it could be, since the parties’ views on foreign affairs starkly represent the differences between them.
Democrats should exploit the contradictions in the Trumpian approach, which is a transparent attempt to evoke separate strains of American tradition.
The last time a major American party took such an isolationist stance was in the 1930s, concurrent with and probably not coincidentally during the rise of Hitler - a point Democrats should make at every opportunity.
Democrats have mixed views on foreign policy, but they should work consistently to brand Republican isolationism as capitulation to Russia and China. It’s not a stretch to brand Republicans as beholden to Vladimir Putin and sellouts to the authoritarian regime in China.
Democrats should promote their continuing efforts to support veterans and make the military stronger, more flexible, and ready to meet all future challenges. Expand the military’s role in humanitarian relief efforts.
They should emphasize Biden’s success in restoring respect for American leadership overseas. They should note that American diplomatic leadership and development of both democracy and markets for American products requires investments and a major military presence around the world.
While Republican views make no sense, it’s not clear that overtly pointing out the contradictions will resonate with the swing voters Democrats need. Better to raise questions, and to show that Democrats have a better approach.
Successes in Ukraine and maybe even raising the hope of peace talks would help.
An even stronger demonstration of success would be an agreement that results in release of the hostages, neutralization of Hamas, security for Israel, and hope for the Palestinian people. A deal with Saudi Arabia and praise from Netanyahu would help.
Both are probably long-shots at this point. But conferences with and praise from world leaders would remind the country that respect for America has been reenergized under Democratic leadership.
So too would a demonstration of the renewed strength of American manufacturing and foreign exports. Biden, or whoever the Democratic nominee is, should be visiting factories and shipping facilities, not merely as a passive observer but as an active participant in industrial processes.
The best public relations event Biden has held was driving the Ford F150 electric pickup truck. Democrats need to hold daily demonstrations of American progress in our most important industries. I
Democrats should propose programs to revitalize the American shipbuilding industry, especially in a swing state like Virginia, and promote faster, more efficient naval construction. It’s not just good politics, it’s good economics and a vital security concern.