Bush Comes Up Short

Obama made a bold, but true, announcement today on Bush's lack of leadership and irresponsible decision-making. Obama flat out said that Bush has fallen short of his role as leader of the free world, but the 2008 election is just the opportunity to change that.

"This president may occupy the White House, but for the last six years the position of leader of the free world has remained open. And it's time to fill that role once more," Obama said, according to excerpts of his speech prepared for delivery to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

"The disappointment that so many around the world feel toward America right now is only a testament to the high expectations they hold for us. We must meet those expectations again, not because being respected is an end in itself, but because the security of America and the wider world demands it," according to the speech.

In a March speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a bipartisan pro-Israel lobby, Obama blamed the Bush administration failings in Iraq for strengthening the strategic position of Iran. He called for a reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq, during a November address before the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Obama has been consistent in his disapproval of the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war.