Gramm quits McCain campaign

Former senator Phil Gramm announced last night that he has stepped down as cochairman of John McCain's presidential campaign to end the "distraction" caused by his remarks the nation was filled with "whiners" who complain about the economy.

"It is clear to me that Democrats want to attack me rather than debate Senator McCain on important economic issues facing the country," Gramm said in a statement the McCain campaign issued. "That kind of distraction hurts not only Senator McCain's ability to present concrete programs to deal with the country's problems, it hurts the country."

Gramm had been a key adviser to McCain on economic issues, but his role was curtailed after his interview last week. He told the Washington Times many Americans believe economic conditions are the worst in decades. "You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession," he said.

"We have sort of become a nation of whiners," he added. "You just hear this constant whining."

McCain quickly repudiated the comments, but Democrats tried to tie him to Gramm.

"The question for John McCain isn't whether Phil Gramm will continue as chairman of his campaign, but whether he will continue to keep the economic plan that Gramm authored and that represents a continuation of the polices that have failed American families for the last eight years," Barack Obama campaign spokesman Hari Sevugan said in a statement.

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