McCain surrogate: US a 'nation of whiners'

Just when Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson needed a distraction from the latest flare-up in their sometimes-rocky relationship, along comes Phil Gramm -- former senator, presidential contender, and leading John McCain supporter -- with a gift.

In an interview with The Washington Times, Gramm veered dangerously off-message by downplaying the economic anxieties being felt by millions of American families.

"You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession," Gramm was quoted as saying.

He goes on to say that the United States has "never been more dominant" and has "benefited greatly" from globalization.

"We have sort of become a nation of whiners," he said. "Misery sells newspapers," Gramm added. "Thank God the economy is not as bad as you read in the newspaper every day."

Whether or not Gramm's point has merit, the last thing McCain needs politically right now is a wealthy Republican surrogate making comments that suggest the party is out-of-touch with the average voter.

Not surprisingly, McCain's campaign disavowed Gramm's remarks, saying in a statement: "John McCain travels the country every day talking to Americans who are hurting, feeling pain at the pump and worrying about how they'll pay their mortgage. That's why he has a realistic plan to deliver immediate relief at the gas pump, grow our economy, and put Americans back to work."

Also not surprisingly, Obama's campaign is trying to make hay out of Gramm's interview. "The American people know that our economic problems aren't just in their heads," spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement. "They don't need psychological relief – they need real relief – and that's what Barack Obama will provide as president."