Eighth district Rep. and Democratic Congressional Campaigns Committee chairman Chris Van Hollen assailed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) yesterday for his remarks that the Social Security system is "an absolute disgrace."

On Wednesday, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate told a Portsmouth, Ohio audience that "we are paying present-day retirees with the taxes paid by young workers in America today.

"And that's a disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace, and it's got to be fixed."

On Thursday, Van Hollen called the comment "disgraceful," saying it illustrates "just how out of touch he is with the values and priorities of the American people."

"Social Security is a guaranteed safety net for more than 42 million seniors and disabled Americans who can't afford to gamble their retirement on the Social Security privatization schemes being pushed by President Bush, Senator McCain, and House Republicans," he said.

"Americans need to look no further than the stock market's 200 point drop today to be reminded the Republicans' Social Security privatization scheme is the wrong direction."

McCain later clarified his point, saying, "Young workers are paying into a system that they won't receive benefits from on the present track that it's on. That's the point. I don't think it's fair. I think it's terrible."

Van Hollen also jabbed McCain for his November 2005 comment about needing to learn more about economics.

"Not long ago, Senator McCain admitted he did not know much about the economy," he said. "Now he has demonstrated he knows little about the system that has protected American seniors since the days of President Franklin Roosevelt."