McCain "Whiner" Adviser Resigns

(AP)  Former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm resigned Friday from his role as GOP presidential candidate John McCain's campaign co-chairman, hoping to quiet the uproar that followed his comments that the United States had become a "nation of whiners" whose constant complaints about the U.S. economy show they are in a "mental recession."

Gramm, a past presidential candidate, made the remarks more than a week ago. McCain immediately distanced himself from the comments, but they brought a steady stream of criticism just as McCain is trying to show he can help steer the country past its current financial troubles.

Gramm said in a statement late Friday that he is stepping down to "end this distraction."

"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. "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. To end this distraction and get on with the real debate, I hereby step down as co-chair of the McCain campaign and join the growing number of rank-and-file McCain supporters."

Gramm made the comment to The Washington Times and later explained that he was talking about the nation's leaders not the American people. Democrats claimed at the time that the Gramm comments showed that McCain is out of touch with voters' concerns over high gas prices, the struggling housing industry and the shaky economy in general.

The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Gramm's departure will make little difference to McCain's economic policies.

"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," said Obama campaign spokesman Hari Sevugan.

[homespunlady]

HERE''S an INTERESTING LYING WITH STATISTICS factoid that the CONS are HIDING:

Unemployment, stocks push down leading indicators
Jul 21, 10:26 AM (ET)
NEW YORK (AP) - The economy contracted in June as factories cut workers'' hours and stocks tumbled, a private business group said Monday. It also revised its May figure to show a decline instead of slight growth.

The New York-based Conference Board''s forecast of future economic activity fell 0.1 percent, in line with forecasts by Wall Street economists surveyed by Thomson Financial/IFR.

The group also revised May''s number downward to a 0.2 percent decrease, from a 0.1 percent increase.

The index has slipped 0.9 percent for the six months ending in June, but the rate of decline has improved since the first quarter.

Downturns in the auto and housing industries have been devastating for the manufacturers that produce everything from spark plugs to vinyl siding. And more job cuts are almost certain: General Motors Corp. (GM) (GM) said Friday more factories likely will close as it slashes production of trucks and sport utility vehicles by 300,000 by the end of the year.

PAY ATTENTION - THE .01 percent increase that "SAVED" us from OFFICIAL RECESSION seems to be a BACK PAGE .2 percent DECREASE (guess the LIED AGAIN) and the SMOKE and MIRRORS MEDIA have FORCED ALL EYES onto IRAQ to HIDE THAT FACT and attemopt a POLITICAL SHIFT.

[minuteman247]

His bother inlaw says he called Phil Gramm and offered to return his check. When Caton described to Phill Gramm what the new movie was about, he got even more excited and wanted to put in more money. But his bother inlaw Caton didn''t need the additional money. The project went forward with Gramm''s $20,000

[minuteman247]

it should read mccain''s x-porn producer resigns

[homespunlady]

Guess the Sec. of the Treasury Paulson is a "whiner" with a MENTAL RECESSION too.

He''s stated TODAY that it''s going to be several MONTHS before this might begin to get better - and this is a guy that has EVERY REASON to "soft pedal" the REALITY of the situation since it''s HIS JOB that may be on the line.

We are in REALLY DEEP doodoo if the guys "in the know" are admitting "problems".

[antoniof123]

Its too bad a guy gets in trouble for telling the truth. This a country full of whiners and left-wing whimps. We did not become the greatest country on earth because of universal health care, 4 day work weeks, unions, public education, unlimited entitlement programs, etc, etc, etc. It is time to pull up your pants, put your baseball cap on frontwards, and grow some huevos.............again.

Posted by ken1dall at 06:49 PM : Jul 19, 2008

Now this is what I don''''t understand. The Republican Party actually AGREES with Gramn on this. Why throw him overboard when he truly represents the beliefs of the party? Isn''''t that very dishonest? IF that is how the Party and their supporters actually feel and believe shouldn''''t they be saying it OUT LOUD instead of hiding it?? Sieg Heil Bush

Posted by MCVet at 08:46 AM : Jul 20, 2008

Well said in fact that is perfect but of course they beleive it but if they say it they know that the majority of Americans will tell them where to go. Oh wait they still have to deal with the swing voters and that they have truly pisssed off. I will tell you this much I can''t imagine myself voting for a Republican again and it is sad that I have in the past. I was under the delsion that you voted for the best person shows what I learned never again.

[antoniof123]

Why is it that all McSame does is say I distance myself and the rest of the wing nuts say see he is doing something.

Yes, he is showing what kind of person he is by who he hangs around with you dumbe morons.

Are neo cons born stupid or do they attend a special school?

[firststate]

I guess "family values" Gramm''s credits as a soft-core porn producer were just too much for mcbush.

[jon2012-2009]

I personally think the Republican party should be dismantled by law.
Posted by nrgmizer

I see this democracy as dysfunctional and the Republicans as proof. But destroying the Republican party, even if it can be done, is likely a short-term solution. Sort of addressing the symptom but not the cause.

Republicans have gained a lot of power from abusing religion in this country. I really think that''s where the problem is--that Christians are somehow at the root of our political and economic difficulties. A democracy prospers only if its base of citizens act rationally with regards to their self-interests and contribute to helping manage the challenges we face as a society. In both respects, I don''t think they are doing a good job of the role expected of them and worse they are putting leaders in position of power who do not feel accountable for their actions. They corrupt politics by allowing themselves to be taken in by corrupt politicians. The Republicans have no hesitation about taking advantage of this group. But it''s not far-fetched to imagine the Democrats aren''t far behind.

[vnveteran72]

If only we could get all the rest of these Reich Wingnuts to Resign........from the Planet......LMMFAO

[Stratmaster7]

Well, if McCain isn''t firing advisers with lobbyist ties, his other advisers are having to resign for saying stupid things. My only question is what took him so long?