Why Won't More Dems Speak Out About Trump's Failed Iran Strikes?

Too Many Dems confuse being pro-war with being strong

The Washington chattering class loves nothing more than a war in the Middle East. The moment Trump first openly threatened to bomb Iran, the media began flexing those old bellicose, warmongering muscles. News anchors ditched their coats and ties, donned wartime chic, and began broadcasting from Tel Aviv. The airwaves were filled with former military types and so-called experts, many of whom came to prominence by cheerleading us into the war in Iraq.

As my Pod Save America cohost Tommy Vietor pointed out earlier this week, “It’s 2003 all over again.”

For my younger readers: 2003 was the year that America lost its mind and decided to invade a country that didn’t attack us on 9/11. I can’t emphasize enough the madness of this decision. The Dixie Chicks were canceled for opposing the war. People started calling French fries “Freedom Fries” because the French wouldn’t join the coalition to needlessly invade Iraq. Back then, most Democrats backed the Iraq War for transparently political reasons. Democrats were afraid to appear weak on terrorism. This fear was immoral, but not irrational. Democrats had just come off a midterm election where Republicans ran brutal ads accusing them of supporting terrorism. One ad even compared Democratic Senator Max Cleland—who had lost three limbs in Vietnam—to Osama bin Laden (Ironically enough, this ad was made by one of the founders of the Lincoln Project).

2003 jump-started the learned helplessness Democrats are known for. On issues of war and peace, we assume we can’t win against a Republican, so we equivocate and dodge rather than speak authentically and passionately against ill-considered military actions.

That learned helplessness has been on full display in the wake of Trump’s airstrikes against Iran. Many Democrats, including most Democratic leaders in Congress, issued cautious, heavily caveated, often confusing statements. They didn’t want to be seen as opposing Trump if things went well or supporting him if things went poorly. So, instead of standing for something, they stood for nothing.

As a general rule—whether it’s immigration or a potential war with Iran—Democrats must abandon the politics of fear. It’s not just weak; it’s bad politics.