The Wall Street-triggered economic crisis, failing health care and education systems, crumbling national infrastructure, behavior that made America one of the least respected nations on the planet, two hugely expensive wars, etc.
Both of these former leaders shared their experiences ruling their respected nations as women and the hardships they faced during their run.
But things seem to be playing out much differently: Iran paradoxically stands to lose much influence as Turkey assumes a surprising new role as the modern, democratic and internationally respected nation willing to take on Israel and oppose America.
The prime minister said EU institutions needed to be headed by people who respect nation states as he spoke of why he was taking such a strong stance on somebody "nobody has ever heard of".
We need a Europe that respects nation states, a Europe that gets the message from last week's election that the EU has become too big, too bossy, too interfering, a very clear message that we need to make sure Europe is about competitiveness and our countries winning in the global race against the Indias and Chinas.
We need people running these organisations, whether it is the European council or the European commission or indeed any other part of Europe that get that – that understand we need a flexible, open, competitive Europe that respects nation states and realise that the process of becoming to big, too bossy, too interfering has gone too far and needs to be brought back.
Mr Cameron said his "clear instruction" to EU leaders was to choose someone who understood that Europe must "respect nation states" and be "less bossy".
"We need a Europe that respects nation states, a Europe that gets the message from last week's elections that the EU has become too big, too bossy and too interfering.
Lesser job? "We need a flexible, open, competitive Europe that respects nation states and realises the process of becoming too big, too bossy, too interfering has gone too far and needs to be rolled back.
"We want to give the fans reason to be optimistic ahead of the European Championship qualification campaign next year and these next two games give us an opportunity to do so against two highly respected football nations".
When the world dials 911, "guess who is expected to answer?" he asked.Powell expanded on his theme: America was not a bullying policeman, it could be trusted to respect other nations' sovereignty, values and culture.
