Even so, few believe that Ms Santanche's amendment was inspired solely by fiscal prudence.
Gene Sperling, who was President Bill Clinton's top economic adviser, said he detected in the Bush administration "a disturbing pattern of using budget numbers that are compelled more by politics than fiscal prudence, more by convenience than by consistency".
Common debt would have to be accompanied by tougher rules on fiscal prudence, which would take months if not years to negotiate.
Her record of fiscal prudence is matched by her commitment to social responsibility.
Germany's borrowing costs are typically among the lowest in the world, but could rise if its reputation for fiscal prudence was diluted by closer association with countries like Italy.
Germany's borrowing costs are typically among the lowest in the world, but could rise if the nation's reputation for fiscal prudence was diluted by closer association with countries like Italy.
"The government of Canada is unalterably committed to fiscal prudence, as evidenced by annual balanced budgets and steady reduction in the debt relative to the size of the economy," the speech said.
But the Democrats' claim to fiscal prudence may be undermined by their decision to maintain the stimulus law's tax breaks, which would cut those savings down to $55 billion.
Last week, Mr. Berlusconi prompted a sell-off in Italian bonds by suggesting that Mr. Tremonti, a longtime political rival and the sole guardian of fiscal prudence in Italy, could be elbowed out of government, imperiling the austerity package, the details of which still remain shrouded in confusion.
And in too many areas that matter to their natural supporters, such as fiscal prudence, they have not stuck by their principles at all.
The harder question is whether the magnitude of the reductions in spending targeted by the coalition is necessary as a matter of fiscal prudence.
