Georgian democracy... and Democrats Posted by Derek Chollet

Watching the democratic process sputter along in Iraq serves as a reminder that we cannot forget the progress of nascent democracies elsewhere – from Lebanon, to Ukraine, to the country that arguably sparked the latest democratic wave, Georgia.  Wedged between the Caucasus and the Black Sea, Georgia is a small country that, in terms of importance, punches way above its weight in a critical neighborhood, the Black Sea region (for more on the strategic significance of the region, see here).  Its Rose Revolution was an inspiration to many democratic reformers around the world and, amazingly, it is helping the U.S. today militarily with troops in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Iraq.  President Bush did the right thing last May when he visited Georgia – a trip that the Georgians remain very proud of (billboards of Bush still are draped in downtown Tbilisi).

Yet Georgia also has big problems—two breakaway regions (Abkhazia and South Ossetia), a tense relationship with Russia, a border with Chechnya, a weak economy, and a young government (literally—most of its senior leaders are in their 30s; President Mikheil Saakashvili is 37) that has little governing experience and has had to start from scratch.

Earlier this summer I had a chance to see all of this first-hand during a visit to Georgia as part of a delegation put together by the German Marshall Fund and supported by the Bradley Foundation, where we spent a week traveling to many of Georgia’s trouble-spots (Abkhazia, the Chechen border) and saw nearly all of its senior leaders.  Recently one of my fellow travelers, Phil Gordon, and I wrote up for the online magazine YaleGlobal our impressions from the trip and what we believe Georgia’s road ahead means for the U.S. and Europe (for the impressions of another delegation member, Carl Bildt, see here).

But one impression that was left out of this article has special relevance for those of us here at DA.  When the Georgians look for support in the U.S., they look primarily to Republicans.  Now part of this is understandable – after all, right now the Republicans control all three branches of government.  But what was striking (and disturbing) is that, according to a wide spectrum of Georgian political leaders, almost all of their country’s champions here in Washington come from the right. 

For example, I was told that when Georgian leaders visit Washington and try to set up meetings with members of Congress, they usually have a line of Republicans waiting to see them (McCain, Hagel, Lugar, Allen, Voinovich, Brownback), but have a very hard time getting through the door to see anyone from the other side of the aisle.  I know that many left-leaning policy wonks and  NGOs (Open Society, NDI, etc) are deeply involved in promoting democratic reforms worldwide, but progressive political leaders seem to be increasingly checked out.   Is the Democratic Party in danger of ceasing to be the champion of democrats?      

Comments

[doc]

... i find no coherent leadership among the dems on any substantive issue any more, much less a party actively
engaged in loyal opposition. they seem to be unified only in their desire to be handed an issue that they can run with, rather than belief in something and actually standing up. fact is, IMO, they’re behaving rather cowardly about a great many issues

sad, really, because neo-cons at least stand for something (…well, evil: but at least they stand for something) that people understand and are willing to vote for.

[Angryman]

Wow, probably the first post on this site that hasn't made me want to hurl.

[Clint]

Derek Chollet asks: "Is the Democratic Party in danger of ceasing to be the champion of democrats?"

Only in the sense in which General Francisco Franco is in danger of dying.

[Clint]

Derek Chollet asks: "Is the Democratic Party in danger of ceasing to be the champion of democrats?"

Only in the sense in which General Francisco Franco is in danger of dying.

[JohnFH]

It's nice to know the day has come that I agree with Angryman: a darn good post by Heather.

Someone with smarts like Dick Durbin might play the role you suggest. That would be an improvement over smart aleck remarks that only get him into deep water with the general public.

[John Penta]

JohnFH: I'm not sure Durbin would be the right choice.

Those smart-aleck remarks have nuked his credibility among most, I think.

Better someone like Carl Levin, Frank Lautenberg, or similar.

[doc]

....hmmmm, gary hart just stood up.

[Dan Kervick]

From the website of the US Embassy in Georgia:

On March 22nd, a delegation of seven U.S. Senators arrived in Tbilisi for a series of meetings with Georgian government officials. The delegation, led by Senate Democratic leader Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, is in Georgia to discuss regional security, political and economic issues. The delegation will meet with President Saakashvili, Prime Minister Noghaideli, Speaker Burjanadze, and Georgian civil society leaders while in Georgia. In addition to Senator Reid, the delegation includes: the Assistant Democratic Leader, Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois; Senator Barbara Boxer of California; Senator Patty Murray of Washington State; Senator Robert Bennett of Utah; Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee; and Senator Ken Salazar of Colorado.

Hmmm.. five Democrats; two Republicans.

[wow gold]

I like to earn the World of Warcraft Gold very much, I want to have a lot of warcraft gold in the game, i do not satisfy the old equipment and so i have to buy wow gold to buy the new equipment to make me strong. If i am very strong in the game i can get some cheap wow gold as the rewards in the game. So i like the game very much.

[runescape gold]

I hope i can get rs gold in low price.