So it will not be used for new spending.
But now tax revenues are slowing while demands for new spending, especially on health care, grow.
But Mr. Fleischer said the surpluses bolstered the case for tax cuts, not for new spending.
"They call for new spending without real reform or accountability," the Texas governor said.
Are Americans going to be tolerant of proposals for new spending after having spent six months hearing about deficit reduction?
Many Americans believe an increase is a license for new spending, rather than authorization to pay bills already owed.
Republicans have strenuously opposed an increase in tax rates, to reduce the deficit or to pay for new spending.
In the rush to expand out-of-hospital care, general practice must not be the exclusive focus for new spending.
He called for new spending on clean energy, new investment of infrastructure and manufacturing, and better pre-school education.
They argue that many of his proposals for new spending on social projects are modest and symbolic.
These are grand, and expensive, ideas, and it was vital that Mr. Obama talked about the need to pay for new spending.
