The American economy is standing because of President Obama's policies, but it's not yet running at full steam, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton said Friday, making her economic case for the presidency.

Speaking with CNBC Friday afternoon, ahead of a weekend featuring several party contests and a debate, Clinton acknowledged that many Americans do not feel the economy is as secure as it could be.

"I think a lot of Americans are really worried that it's not going to get better, and that's why I'm running on specifics, on policies, on what I think I can do," Clinton said.

The former secretary of state said she recognized that people are "angry and fearful" — in part because of long-stagnate wages and the difficulties of recovering from recession. Clinton argued that the administration of her husband, former President Bill Clinton, set America "on the right path" economically, but "trickle-down" policies under the next presidency diminished that course.

"Even now, when you listen to the Republicans who are vying for their nomination, it's the same thing: It's cut taxes on the wealthy — in fact (GOP front-runner Donald) Trump says wages are too high in America," she said. "They don't have an agenda for the middle class, working people, poor people trying to get ahead, so I think it's imperative that I do everything I can in this election to make the case that we can get back to a growing, vital middle class."

In fact, discussing U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' tax plan, Clinton said it would raise taxes "across the board" on middle-class families, and "probably disadvantage" people on Medicaid. In contrast, she said hers is "sensible, defensible," and "far more responsible than anything the Republicans are proposing."