Europeans asking: "Where are the Democrats?"

The danger of perceived weakness

“The whole world is watching!” I remember the chants as Chicago police beat protesters outside the 1968 Democratic Convention. It’s even more true today, with technology facilitating worldwide scrutiny of US events in real time.

I’m in constant contact with European friends and observers. A major question I’m getting is: “Where are the Democrats? Why aren’t they doing anything?” It’s something of a “Have you stopped beating your wife yet?” question. The premise is questionable. But it indicates a worrying state of mind among European friends and analysts of the United States.

In trying to answer, I first stress that there’s a lot going on that the media are not paying attention to. Distraction is central to Trump’s communication tactics. The media continue to follow every shiny, outrageous object he puts out there, and frankly lose the bigger picture. Without endorsing anyone specifically, I give worried Euros the names of some combative Democrats they can easily find on social media. The message is in essence “You need to work a little harder and avoid distraction.” The image of my late cat Attila chasing a laser pointer is always on my mind, but it takes too long to explain it to people who don’t know cats.

I don’t pretend that’s the whole answer, though. When I’m not representing anyone other than myself, i.e. most of the time, I might note how the diversity of opinion within Democratic ranks makes it challenging to forge a shared platform, and hence a unified message. Another thing is the lack, on average, of a combative temperament among Democrats, an unwillingness to accept politics as bloodsport. There’s no point in denying it.

Democrats should worry about the perception of weakness, whether on the domestic or international scene. In strategic terms, the perception of weakness is much the same as actual weakness. The perception of weakness can create irresistible temptation for an adversary, an invitation to strike. That step has costs, even when the target of aggression does not prove to be weak in fact.

I hope that, at some point, it will be possible for new US leaders to return to the world offering genuine alliances, respect, and importantly reliability. But they really don’t want to be asked in all the world capitals: “Where the hell were you when Trump was doing X?” No one wants a wimpy ally.