The likely 2008 presidential candidate told the paper that Bush has used scare tactics to rally public support on issues ranging from U.S. policy in Iraq to privatization of Social Security.

On Iraq Clinton griped that Bush had even botched the election process, saying that regional balloting should have preceded any national referendum.

Social Security reform is impractical now, she said, because the massive deficits run up by the Bush administration have left the government unable to fund a transition to privatization.

The top Democrat also predicted that the GOP-controlled Congress will turn more conservative, saying, "I think that they have very radical ideas that they call reform."

Reacting to Clinton's comments, New York State GOP Chairman Stephen Minarik told the Democrat and Chronicle, "Before she mouths off, where are the 200,000 jobs she promised upstate?"

Editor's note: