On Feb. 29, 2008, Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton first aired her famous “3 a.m.” campaign ad. Her Senate colleague Barack Obama had breakout momentum, which Clinton desperately wanted to break. Obama had served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but missed nearly half of its votes. Clinton’s gambit didn’t work, of course, but her ad remains a memorable one.

Today, Democrats build their campaign on rage against both President Donald Trump and Israel. That is politically effective, but it places polemic over policy. If the Democrats plan to assume the responsibility of rule and resume a world in which the United States manages crises, they must demonstrate leadership. Ukraine, Iran, China, and Cuba represent crises about which every candidate should have detailed positions and nuanced plans. What happens if Russia uses tactical nuclear weapons or if Iran and its proxies continue to impede freedom of navigation? How far will the U.S. go to defend Taiwan against a blockade or an invasion? If Cuba collapses, will the U.S. intervene?