But words matter. "Constitutional government" is eight syllables to "democracy"'s four, but it doesn't mar a sound-bite to make the subsitution.
The beneficiaries need to hear and absorb the longer term, or jacobinical majoritarianism will be what they expect, and will give themselves once they are not under our direct tutelage.
I think those who are intent on forming constitutional governance will do so regardless of the semantics of a presidential soundbite in America. The forces of free governance will be guided by America's constitutional experiment, not by mere words. The forces of totalitarianism will just continue to exercise sham republican governance regardless of what we do or say.
The length of the term isn't the issue. It's that "democracy" is such an inherently positive word with entirely positive connotations to most Americans. "Constitutional governance" on the other hand is a rather flat-sounding term that won't necessarily move people. Remember, wars aren't just fought on battlefields. They have to be fought in the minds of the people both at home and abroad. And a constitution, as great as ours is, can be written to empower any demagogue. Frankly anything can be called "constitutional governance" if it's based on a constitution. The Iranian mullahs rule by a constitution that grants them enormous political power. The term democracy on the other hand implies power flowing from the people. I understand what the president is getting at as I think do most people.