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Democrats say economic security of top concern
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democrats focused their Saturday radio address on the economy, saying Americans are concerned about their financial security. Sen. Robert Torricelli, D-New Jersey, listed record job losses, a swooning stock market and rising health care costs as reasons American families are concerned about the "mounting threats to our economic security." "The president rightly seeks to marshal our national resolve against the purveyors of hatred and violence who have made America their target," he said. "But shouldn't we be equally as vigilant about attacking the economic challenges we now face?" Torricelli praised the Democrats for the economic boom of the 1990s. "Our fiscal discipline led to historic balanced budgets and federal surpluses," he said. But he criticized the Bush administration for beginning with a budget surplus of $5.6 trillion that "has been transformed into a deficit of $400 million." He said that, combined with new expenses associated with war abroad, "has forced the government to raid Social Security funds to pay its bills, something the president pledged as a candidate he would never do." Though Torricelli called for guaranteed Medicare prescription drug coverage for seniors, he discussed no other specific proposals. Democrats are hoping to keep voters' attention on the sagging economy as the November congressional elections approach. Torricelli, who was rebuked by the Senate Ethics Committee for improperly receiving gifts from a contributor, is locked in a close race for re-election.
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