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The No. 3 Democrat in the Senate says thathis party made a mistake five years ago when it turned its attention away from taking steps to continue stimulating the economy and toward the still-controversial Affordable Care Act (ACA):

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), the Senates third-ranking Democrat,slammed his party Tuesday for pursuing health-care reform in 2009 and 2010, arguing that Democrats hurt themselves politically by not focusing instead on policies aimed at helping a broader swath of middle-class Americans.

After passing the stimulus, Democrats should have continued to propose middle class-oriented programs and built on the partial success of the stimulus. But unfortunately, Democrats blew the opportunity the American people gave them. We took their mandate and put all of our focus on the wrong problem health-care reform.

Schumer, who voted for the health-care law and has championed it, suggested that he voiced similar concerns to colleagues back when the law was being crafted but was overruled by others who saw the moment as the best possible chance to reshape the nations health-care system.

We should have done it. We just shouldnt have done it first, he said of what is considered by many Democrats to be President Obamas signature accomplishment.

Schumer made his remarks during a speech at the National Press Club that served as a sharp critique of his party in the wake of a disastrous midterm election in which Republicans swept into the Senate majority and padded their House advantage.

BloombergsKathleen Hunterhas further details about Schumers comments:

Nov. 25 (Bloomberg) Democrats made a mistake by passing President Barack Obamas health-care law in 2010 instead of first focusing more directly on helping the middle class, third-ranking U.S. Senate Democrat Charles Schumer said today.

Unfortunately, Democrats blew the opportunity the American people gave them in electing Obama and a Democratic Congress in 2008 amid a recession, Schumer of New York said in a speech in Washington. We took their mandate and put all our focus on the wrong problem health care reform.

Schumer said Democrats should have addressed issues aiding the middle class to build confidence among voters before turning to revamping the health-care system. He said he opposed the timing of the health-care vote and was overruled by other party members.

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Is Schumer right? A top Democrat calls early focus on Obamacare a mistake