Democrats push to make national security a 2020 wedge issue

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Foreign policy is getting placed on the back burner as 2020 Democratic presidential candidates look for a breakout moment in the party’s crowded field.

But Democratic senators and strategists are clamoring for White House hopefuls to talk up the issue, arguing President Trump is vulnerable on national security after sparking a series of international dustups during his presidency.

“It’s an enormous point of political exposure for this president. He continues to screw up everything in every corner of the world,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a leading voice within the Senate Democratic caucus on foreign policy. “We have the opportunity to close the national security gap with Republicans in 2020, so I would hope that Democrats see this as an opportunity.”

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), the party’s 2016 vice presidential nominee and a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, argued that Trump’s record gives Democrats a “powerful critique” to make on foreign policy.

“When you get to the general election, ‘We’ll do a better job with the economy and we will keep you safer than this administration’ -- those are the two selling points that any Democratic candidate has to be able to make,” Kaine said.

Trump rose through the GOP primary by eschewing traditional Republican foreign policy, including taking a combative stance toward the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), knocking George W. Bush-era wars and arguing the United States should step back from its global watchdog role.

But since taking office, Trump has reached boiling points with countries including Venezuela and Iran; drawn rebukes for his warm relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin; stood by Saudi Arabia after the death of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi; walked back his pledge to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria; and ripped up Obama-era legacies like the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear deal.

https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/447545-democrats-push-to-make-national-security-a-2020-wedge-issue

[oldsoftie]

1. Its a great idea; take it away from the GOP. Show the people who REALLY cares about security.

Our position in the world needs to be solidified.