Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) has leveled a stinging criticism at fellow Republicans by charging they are not focusing enough on job creation.

In Washington, where "jobs" has become the principal buzzword in partisan political arguments, Murkowski's charge hurled back at her own side really stings.

Murkowski said GOP leaders have been spending too much time and effort on a "messaging" battle with Democrats over repealing healthcare reform when the issue most voters care about is high unemployment.