McCain Insider: Economic Woes Merely 'Mental Recession'

One of John McCain’s top economic confidantes said yesterday the country is in a “mental recession” and the US has “become a nation of whiners,” constantly “complaining about … America in decline.” The Democratic National Committee moved quickly to condemn Phil Gramm’s remarks—which are likely to hurt efforts, Mike Allen writes on Politico, “to convince working-class Americans that McCain feels their pain.”

Charges a Dem representative, “How dare John McCain and his advisers so callously dismiss the challenges the American people face? No wonder voters feel John McCain is out of touch.” The Republican's campaign also balked at the former Texas senator’s words, insisting Gramm's “comments are not representative of John McCain’s views.” (More John McCain stories.)