W: Strong on National Security... NOT!

Then:

Statement by the President in His Address to the Nation
The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice.
[11 Sep 2001]

Followed one day later by...

Remarks by the President In Photo Opportunity with the National Security Team
This is an enemy that tries to hide. But it won't be able to hide forever. This is an enemy that thinks its harbors are safe. But they won't be safe forever.
[12 Sep 2001]

Followed one week later by...

Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People
Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated.
...
We will direct every resource at our command -- every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war -- to the disruption and to the defeat of the global terror network.
[20 Sep 2001]

... that was then.

Today, six-and-a-half years later:

Intelligence Chief Cites Qaeda Threat to U.S.
By MARK MAZZETTI, NYT
Published: February 6, 2008
WASHINGTON — Al Qaeda is gaining in strength from its refuge in Pakistan and is steadily improving its ability to recruit, train and position operatives capable of carrying out attacks inside the United States, the director of national intelligence told a Senate panel on Tuesday.

and...

Intel chief warns of al-Qaeda in Iraq's spread
Posted by Patrick Cooper, USA Today
February 05, 2008
McConnell calls al-Qaeda in Iraq the "most visible and capable affiliate" of the greater al-Qaeda organization. "Although the ongoing conflict in Iraq will likely absorb most of AQI’s resources over the next year, AQI has leveraged its broad external networks—including some reaching into Europe—in support of external operations."

Oh! - and let's not forget:
"al Qaeda in Iraq" didn't exist until we invaded Iraq!

In light of this rather bleak record, would someone please explain to me why W and his Republican minions are believed to be strong on National Security?

Will any Democratic candidate call out W and the Republicans for their abject failure to contain al Qaeda?

Stop the madness!

[thanks to Tedthecat85 for suggesting this post.]