In 2012, Democrats laughed at the idea of Russia being the number one geopolitical foe of the United States. Four years later, Democrats have launched a new era of McCarthyism.
When 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said that Russia was the United States's number one geopolitical foe, the Obama administration and Democrats mocked his comments.
"The 1980's are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back," President Obama said during a presidential debate.
"Russia has been an ally," Hillary Clinton said when asked to respond to Romney's comments.
"Governor Romney is mired in a Cold War mindset," Vice-President Joe Biden said at a campaign rally.
"Mitt Romney talks like he’s only seen Russia by watching 'Rocky IV,'" John Kerry said at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
The Democrat party also used Romney's comments to paint him as not being ready to be president.
Romney, who calls Russia our "No. 1 geopolitical foe," doesn't seem to realize it's the 21st century. #RomneyNotReady http://t.co/xcvhOAFS
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) October 22, 2012
Mitt Romney said Russia is "without question, our No. 1 geopolitical foe." http://t.co/odDflXnE #RomneyNotReady
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) October 23, 2012
Obama won re-election, but the U.S. relationship with Russia went from being an "ally" to a threat to democracy. The Russian government annexed the Crimean peninsula, supported rebels in Ukraine, targeted civilians in Syria, and interfered in the U.S. election.
It wasn't until Russian hackers targeted the Democratic National Committee and senior Clinton campaign advisers that Democrats began to change their tune on Russia.
Clinton blamed her loss on Russian President Vladamir Putin, saying he had a personal vendetta against her. Kerry said Russia's actions posed a threat to the United States. President Obama announced new sanctions on Russia and expelled 35 Russian diplomats. Congress also launched an investigation into the extent of Russia's involvement.
Some Democrats accused Trump administration officials of working with Russian officials during the campaign. This led former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to resign in February after it was discovered that he lied to Vice President Mike Pence about meeting with Russian officials. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself in March from any investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia, when it was discovered that he didn't disclose two meetings with the Russian ambassador.
While Democrats continue to advocate tougher actions against Russia, Mitt Romney has yet to receive acknowledgement on being right.