Putin also had to identify his opposition and their strengths and weaknesses in countering the maneuvers of the GOP. That honor would go to the Democratic Party — and its defensively inadequate core. The Democrats have stood by and done absolutely nothing as communities of color stood helpless against police brutality and the inaction of Congress, the Department of Justice and the Attorney General. They did nothing as the Crosscheck voter purge system was implemented across the country and the Voting Rights Act was gutted. They did nothing to protect Tribal sovereignty at Standing Rock. They refused to take action to provide a living wage and fair housing to their working-class constituents and refused to enforce compliance with ADA standards even on election day. They even refused to legally counter Citizens United v FEC or Shelby County v Holder.