President Obama has shocked me in recent days. It is difficult to imagine the man who made his name on opposing the Iraq war, and beat the drum ceaselessly about withdrawing troops from Iraq would claim that withdrawing our troops is somehow not his responsibility. In a recent interview: (see video here)

Q: Mr. President, do you have any second thoughts about pulling all ground troops out of Iraq?  And does it give you pause as the U.S. — is it doing the same thing in Afghanistan?

THE PRESIDENT: What I just find interesting is the degree to which this issue keeps on coming up, as if this was my decision…

This is more than a man and a dodge. President Obama’s agenda is full of Big Promises with the costs ignored or denied. It is quite a shock to see a president shirk responsibility for policies he so loudly and consistently advocated.

Personal responsibility means taking the heat for decisions you made, and as a leader, taking the fall when things go wrong. This president either cannot, or will not understand this. I have yet to hear him “man up” and take the blame for any decision he or his subordinates have made. The constant refrain is that it is always someone else’s fault.

Personal responsibility should be well understood. When you make a mistake, you generally suffer the consequences. That’s physics. In leadership, you are responsible for everything that happens “on your watch”. The captain of the ship is responsible for everything that happens on that ship. No evasions. No excuses. To dodge this responsibility is shameful.

The worst part of this story is that our president, as a leader, gives cover to others to do the same. If the president does it, it must be OK. Bad behavior in a leader becomes acceptable, even respectable.

It is time for President Obama to take personal responsibility for his policies and their effects. It is his watch. The example he sets will be followed. We, the people must demand that it is a good one.