Perhaps because I have spent considerable time in the world of opposition politics abroad, I find it surprising when my fellow Americans, conservatives in particular, fail to see how and why an opposition tactic, like defunding Obamacare, is necessary. In this regard our left-wing opponents are far better suited to surviving periods out of political power; today’s Democrat leaders, including both Clinton and Obama, are miles ahead.

The left understands that some struggles are worth having even if they are difficult to win because voters want politicians who are seen to stand for something. The public may like compromises and achievements but it tends not to reward them. Instead, it gravitates towards leaders who are seen to be fighting for them, and fighting for core supporters most of all. Sens. Ted Cruz and Rand Paul understand that; few others do.

The Republicans’ biggest challenge today is not losing moderates or independents (which Mitt Romney won in 2012). Rather, the biggest challenge is motivating the party’s core supporters after the disappointment of 2012, and after several of the most promising young stars–Sen. Marco Rubio foremost among them–reneged on earlier conservative positions in favor of fatally flawed compromises on issues like immigration.

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