With a call for U.S. strength that would make Ronald Reagan take note and a slap that President Obama has made the United States “less influential in the world,” Republican Jeb Bush on Wednesday presents his case to restore America as the world’s sole superpower.
“America does not have the luxury of withdrawing from the world — our security, our prosperity and our values demand that we remain engaged and involved in often distant places,” Bush plans to tell the Chicago Council on Global Affairs today, according to pre-released excerpts.
“We have no reason to apologize for our leadership and our interest in serving the cause of global security, global peace and human freedom,” he adds in the comments reported on by Examiner senior congressional correspondent David M. Drucker.
Bush blasts Obama for promising change, but delivering weakness. “The great irony of the Obama presidency is this: Someone who came to office promising greater engagement with the world has left America less influential in the world,” he said, adding: “We definitely no longer inspire fear in our enemies.”
The speech is a much-anticipated event as Bush nears a decision to officially enter the 2016 presidential contest he leads, according to several polls.
His assault on Obama is expected, but observers are also looking to see how he plans to break away from his brother and father, both former presidents.
The Examiner’s Drucker explores that angle here and unveils the excerpts from the 12:30 Eastern Standard Time speech.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
