Posted on 04/23/2007 1:30:29 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
CHICAGO - Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) said Monday that President Bush has fallen short in his role as leader of the free world, and the 2008 election is a chance 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 is time to fill that role once more," Obama said in a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
The Illinois senator was in his hometown to deliver a foreign policy address that was rescheduled last week after the shootings at Virginia Tech.
In his remarks, Obama said the world is disappointed in the United States, but it would be a mistake to "cede our claim of leadership in world affairs" because Americans might be tempted to turn inward in the face of negative world opinion.
"America cannot meet the threats of this century alone, but the world cannot meet them without America. We must neither retreat from the world nor try to bully it into submission — we must lead the world by deed and by example," he said.
Monday's speech is the third time in recent months that Obama has come home to deliver a foreign policy address.
In a March speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a bipartisan pro-Israel lobby, Obama blamed 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.
On Monday, Obama reiterated his call for a phased withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and said bringing a responsible end to the war was one of the ways the country could begin to lead again if he is elected president.
Another would be to increase the overall size of the military by adding 65,000 soldiers to the Army and 27,000 Marines, forces stretched thin fighting wars abroad and protecting the homeland.
Obama also pledged to lead a global effort to secure nuclear weapons and materiel at vulnerable sites around the globe within four years. He said the United States must work with Russia — which he called "neither our enemy nor our close ally right now" — to make sure its weapons and nuclear materiel are secured.
Also, he said the world must stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and work to eliminate North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
"If America does not lead, these two nations could trigger regional arms races that could accelerate nuclear proliferation on a global scale and create dangerous nuclear flash points," he said.
Republican National Committee spokesman Chris Taylor dismissed Obama's criticism.
"It obviously takes alot more than empty rhetoric to lead this country and that is what Barack Obama continues to give us," Taylor said.
I think it's time for the RNC to take off the gloves.
And Dumbo has no record at all.
Might be good to wait to see if he makes it through round one of the prelims.
Yep because the President did not go along with terrorist appeasers like the UN, EU, China, and Russia.
Oh no, this is going to hurt Bush’s reelection chances in ‘08. Seriously though, talking about pandering to the base, what a transparent and empty suit...
Yeah, I guess with his record of achievement, he would know.
So, Osama, what great world leadership skills do you have on your resume?
I would say we should give Obama a chance to screw up, but that is an awfully high price to pay just to teach one man some humility.
On the contrary. Bush has led. And not followed the worlds wishes of appeasement and made the touch decisions.
It is easy to be a modern liberal. Just back off of all conflict with evil and kneel before it.
Has Obama made it past 5’-4” yet?
I could make the argument that the junior U.S. Senate seat from Illinois has been pretty much open the past two years due to the incumbent’s other pursuits. Of course, I don’t know which is worse — having him out on book tours and running for president, or having him in the Senate doing his job.
Illinois, Illinois, Illinois (shaking head).
And Boy Obama and his Mickey Mouse ears, he’s a world statesman is he?
This empty suit freshman senator from Indonesia has a lot of nerve criticizing someone who brought our country back from the brink after 9/11, cut taxes, brought dignity back to the White House, prevented further attacks, liberated tens of millions and appointed two exceptional justices to the Supreme Court!! We must make sure that this “Manchurian Candidate from the Maddrassa” won’t be sitting in the Oval Office in 2009!!
Interesting he says leader of the "free" world. I guess the liberation of 51 million people from oppression doesn't register for Obama on his "free" world scale.
I’m not sure his mother knows he’s outside playing with real grown ups!
Obama is a nappy headed ho pimped by George Soros and Co.
Little chance of that.
This guy IS the biggest empty suit since the first JFK. Kennedy was a playboy Senator whose seat was purchased by his old man. He never sponsored a single piece of legislation. How did he get the ‘60 nomination? His old man bought it. See the biography “Wild Bill” about the life of William O. Douglas; Douglas badly wanted the nomination but didn’t have the money to compete with the Kennedys.
Obama’s another. He’s got one thing: the right skin color.
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