Party lines differ on Obama economy record

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WASHINGTON, March 11 (UPI) -- A senior Republican U.S. senator said Sunday that the recent good news about the economy does not mean President Obama isn't in trouble politically.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Fla., described the recovery as "anemic" and not matched the optimistic predictions that White House had made when Obama's economic initiatives were launched.

"So the economy is anemic at best, and the policies of the president are going to make it impossible for this country to recover," Graham said on ABC's "This Week." "Big things haven't happened very well on his watch."

Graham said healthcare reform and Obama's energy initiatives had not panned out at all and would be a liability in November election.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the Republican criticisms of the economy a smokescreen to cover up what he said was a lack of good ideas from the GOP field. "Democrats are focused like a laser on jobs, the economy, and the middle class," Schumer told ABC. "Republicans, realizing that that's not their strong suit, are going off on these other things, women's issues and women's health and contraception."