Related Video: Hard Work For Peace In Gaza Ahead Following Return Of Living Hostages

In December of 1983, the Rev. Jesse Jackson went to Syria to seek the release of an American airman who had been shot down there. That went against the wishes of President Ronald Reagan, who thought Jackson was grandstanding to jump-start his own campaign for the White House. Reagan also feared that Jackson's intercession might cause the Syrians to dig in their heels or even to harm Navy Lieutenant Robert O. Goodman Jr., the captured airman.

But Jackson succeeded, persuading Syrian dictator Hafez al-Assad to free Goodman. An elated Reagan called Jackson to thank him. And when a journalist asked Reagan if Jackson had "done a good job," Reagan didn't hesitate in his reply: yes.

"You don't quarrel with success," Reagan said, eliciting laughter from the pool of reporters surrounding him.

The quip generated good press for Reagan, because it showed that he cared more about Goodman's fate than he did about scoring points against a political rival. And that's precisely why my fellow Democrats should be praising President Trump for helping win a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of 20 Israeli hostages, who made a triumphant return this week..

Alas, we just can't bring ourselves to do it. Trump' s opponents lauded the cease-fire, of course, but most of them

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