In a speech to the Detroit Economic Club Monday, Sen. Lieberman -- a potential presidential contender -- said it would be "irresponsible to let the next big tax cuts, which are mostly for the wealthiest Americans, go into effect." "If this Administration doesn't show some economic leadership soon, the American Dream will be harder and harder for millions of Americans to realize," warned Lieberman, pointing to what he says is a budget that has gone from $260 billion in surplus in 2000 to a projected $100 billion deficit this year. The $1.35 billion tax cut is scheduled to be implemented over 10 years. Lieberman says if the economy is still bleak, the reduction of the top tax bracket from 38.6 percent to 35 percent scheduled in 2004 and then down to 33 percent in 2006 "should both be put off." He said postponing these tax cuts would save $1 trillion over 20 years and that money should go to: reducing the deficit, "pro-growth" tax cuts for research and development and education, and homeland defense.