The more I have studied Lincoln the more I have followed his thought processes the more I am convinced that he understood leadership better than any other American president.

The problem is is that President Bush and the Republican leadership in the Congress have resisted attempts to increase dramatically our fuel economy standards over the last five years.

Under the leadership of this President the state of the union is not strong. We are being pulled apart rather than pulling together. Our democracy is suffering from the choices being made and yet we are offered the same tired excuses and unrealistic analyses.

So I think that our foreign policy the president's strong and principled leadership when it comes to the war against terror and foreign policy is going to be an asset.

If Ralph Nader runs President Bush is going to be re-elected and if Ralph Nader doesn't run President Bush is going to be re-elected. We're going to run on the president's strong and principled leadership and his positive agenda for a second term.

All of this suggests that while citizens became more comfortable with President Bush after September 11 and thought him to have the requisite leadership skills they continue to harbor doubts about his priorities loyalties interests and policies.

As for leadership I am the kind who leads reluctantly and more by example than anything else. Someone had to be on the incorporation papers as president.

President Bush has shown great leadership. He has said that the 21st century will not be ruled or dictated by terrorists dictators and murderers. He is absolutely right. God bless him for his resolve.

Democrats are going to proudly run on the fact that we turned the economy around. It was our policies under President Obama's leadership through the Recovery Act through investing in the automobile industry.

The person who takes the oath of office in the next four months will shape not just the next four years but the next forty years of our nation. In these next four years we need proven leadership proven judgment and proven values. America needs four more years of President Barack Obama.