Free world needs a new leader, says Obama

US President George Bush has fallen short of his role as leader of the free world, and the 2008 election is a chance to change that, Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama said today.

"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.