Republicans have been predicting the decline of American power ever since President Obama was photographed at last week’s hemispheric summit shaking the hand of President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and  gasp!  smiling. Former Vice President Dick Cheney warned that that act of civility would be viewed as a sign of “weakness.” Newt Gingrich, who may be honing his attack skills for a presidential run, said Mr. Obama’s behavior was bolstering “enemies of America.”

We have no patience for Mr. Chávez. He was elected as a champion of the poor and has turned himself into a standard-issue autocrat  playing the anti-America card to divert attention from his failed economic policies and ever more outrageous power grabs.

But Venezuela is no strategic threat. And this country has paid far too high a price in both power and influence for former President George W. Bush’s bullying.

Mr. Obama got elected on a pledge to do things differently. At the summit, years of antagonism gave way to eagerness for new relations with Washington. Mr. Obama undercut Mr. Chávez’s bluster with that handshake and his promise of a “new beginning” with Cuba.