All great monuments are built over solemn asses. No man can be a patriot on an empty stomach. Not only strike while the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking. All the great presidents have had their wars. These were too little, too late, in my opinion.
People expect Byzantine, Machiavellian logic from politicians.
But the truth is simple. You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose. Good government is good politics. We as Democrats have no apologies to make to anyone.