On the campaign trail, Senator John Kerry accused President Bush of creating * “a crisis of historic proportions”* in Iraq because of “colossal failures of judgment.” In a major address at New York University, Kerry gave his harshest critique yet of Bush’s policies in Iraq and outlined his plan to improve the crisis. Kerry said “In Iraq, this administration has consistently over-promised and under-performed. This policy has been plagued by a lack of planning, an absence of candor, arrogance and outright incompetence.” Kerry outlined a four-point plan to improve the situation in Iraq. He said he would: get more help from other countries, provide better training for Iraqi forces, increase benefits to the Iraqi people and ensure elections take place next year as scheduled. [* Read speech* || * Watch Speech*

Bush responded to Kerry’s speech by accusing his opponent of shifting his position on Iraq once again. [* Read speech*] Today Bush is scheduled to outline his plans for Iraq in his address before the General Assembly of the United Nations.