John Edwards, opening his first solo campaign swing since becoming No 2 on the Democratic White House ticket, attacked US President George W. Bush on Wednesday for his failure to take responsibility for flawed US intelligence on Iraq.
Edwards, at a rally on the steps of the Iowa State Capitol, contrasted Bush with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry and said Bush did not understand what it means to lead.
"What we need in the White House is somebody who has the strength, courage and leadership to take responsibility and be accountable not only for what is good, but for what is bad. That's what John Kerry will be," the North Carolina senator said.
Edwards referred to a British report released on Wednesday that criticised the country's intelligence failures in the run-up to the war in Iraq and noted that Blair had taken "full responsibility" for the breakdown.
"Tony Blair didn't run from the report," said Edwards, chosen by Kerry as his running mate a week ago. "It's because he understands what leadership is."
The British report echoed a Senate Intelligence Committee report issued in Washington last week that said US intelligence used to justify the invasion of Iraq was riddled with flaws but found no sign Bush had pressured analysts.
Bush has not taken responsibility for the intelligence mistakes, and said again while campaigning in Michigan that "although we haven't found the stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, we were right to go into Iraq, and America is safer today because we did." Edwards said Kerry had proven his leadership skills as a decorated boat commander during the Vietnam War.
"He showed then and he has his entire life that he will be responsible, that he will lead, that he has courage," he said.