Dupe...sorry

[MaineDem]

I didn't see this posted but I apologize if it's a dupe.

WASHINGTON, July 30 — The U.S. budget deficit will hit a record $445 billion this year, according to a White House report on Friday that is sure to fuel election-year wrangles about President Bush's economic policies.

The figure is well above the 2003 shortfall of $374 billion, the prior record in dollar terms. But the mid-session review forecast is $76 billion less than the $521 billion the White House projected in February.

The White House said the more modest deficit forecast was a sign Bush's tax-cutting policies were spurring economic growth. But Democrats seized on the rise in red ink over last year to accuse Bush of fiscal recklessness.


http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/reuters07-30-115233.asp?t=recom&vts=73020041443