PORTLAND – The chairwoman of the Maine Democratic Party took a swipe Thursday at President Bush’s economic policies, saying they have led to rising unemployment and a return to deficit spending.

Gwethalyn Phillips made it plain that her critique was a pre-emptive strike intended to head off Bush’s reflections on his economic accomplishments when he delivers his annual State of the Union address Wednesday.

Dismissing claims that Bush’s tax cut was reviving the economy, Phillips maintained that it has driven the nation into a deep recession that has cost more than 1 million jobs, including more than 2,600 in Maine.

“In just one year of the Bush administration, we have gone from record budget surpluses back into deficit spending, with rising unemployment,” she said.

She said President Clinton transformed a $290 billion deficit into a $236 billion surplus during his eight years in office, but Bush now plans to run deficits for the remainder of his term.

Phillips also took aim at Bush’s economic stimulus package, saying it contains tax provisions that would drain $30 million from Maine’s state budget at a time when the Legislature faces cuts in key programs.