It’s not often that we find ourselves citing the words of national Democrat strategists in Washington to highlight why Senate Democrats like Jim Webb, Claire McCaskill, Jon Tester, and others are in political trouble as they prepare to face voters in 2012. But I would draw your attention to this statement from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) this morning in which they attack former U.S. Sen. George Allen for “wildly spending taxpayer dollars, and racking up our national debt.” The DSCC went on to say that “[w]e don’t come across a lot of voters these days hungering for that type of experience.”

We would point out that when Senator Allen left office in January 2007, the national debt was $8.6 trillion and it took our country over 200 years to reach that level of debt. Yet, in just the four years since Democrats took control of the Senate with the election of Senator Jim Webb and other Democrat Senators, the national debt has increased more than $5 trillion and now stands at over $14 trillion. In addition, the unemployment rate has almost doubled since Senator Webb took office – from 4.6% in January 2007 to 9.4% today.

In response, NRSC Communications Director Brian Walsh said:

“Senator Webb’s support for the out-of-control spending and rampant debt championed by Democrats over the last several years will be a central issue in next year’s election. While Senator Webb campaigned as a moderate in 2006, his record the last four years has been one of a big spending liberal and a reliable rubber-stamp for the Obama agenda.

“Republicans look forward to debating Senator Webb’s support for the failed stimulus, the massive health care bill and other big spending measures that have driven our national debt past $14 trillion. We agree with national Democrats that ‘we don’t come across a lot of voters these days hungering for that type of experience.’”

BACKGROUND…

The National Debt When George Allen Left Office, In January 2007, Was $8.6 Trillion. (U.S. Department Of Treasury, www.treasurydirect.gov, Accessed 1/24/10)

In The FOUR YEARS Since Democrats Took Control Of The Senate With The Election Of Senators Webb, Klobuchar, McCaskill, Brown, Casey, And Whitehouse The National Debt Has Increased More Than $5 Trillion

When Democrats Took Control Of The Senate In January Of 2007, The Debt Was $8.6 Trillion. (U.S. Department Of Treasury, www.treasurydirect.gov, Accessed 1/24/10)

The National Debt Today Stands At Over $14 Trillion. (U.S. Department Of Treasury, www.treasurydirect.gov, Accessed 1/24/11)

The National Unemployment Rate Was 4.6% In January 2007. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 1/24/11)

The National Unemployment Rate Is 9.4% Today. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 1/24/11)