ECONOMY BEFORE HEALTH CARE

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer -- the Senate's number three Democrat -- said yesterday that his party "blew the opportunity the American people gave them" after the 2008 elections by focusing on overhaul of the U.S. health care system, instead of on the economy. Schumer was careful to emphasize his support for Obamacare's policies, during a speech at the National Press Club, but said health reform should have come later -- after economic legislation helping the average middle class out of the recession. Noting that only about 5 percent of registered U.S. voters were uninsured before implementation of the Affordable Care Act, he said that focusing on an issue affecting that small a percentage of the electoral "made no political sense." Supporters of the ACA called hypocrisy on Schumer's remarks, noting his long involvement and support for the health care law.