In an interview with the Washington Times, top McCain economic adviser Phil Gramm (yes, that Phil Gramm) has some comforting words for the millions o
July 9, 2008

In an interview with the Washington Times, top McCain economic adviser Phil Gramm (yes, that Phil Gramm) has some comforting words for the millions of Americans struggling to pay their bills.

Washington Times:

"You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession," he said, noting that growth has held up at about 1 percent despite all the publicity over losing jobs to India, China, illegal immigration, housing and credit problems and record oil prices. "We may have a recession; we haven't had one yet."

"We have sort of become a nation of whiners," he said. "You just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline" despite a major export boom that is the primary reason that growth continues in the economy, he said.

So after eight years of disastrous Republican policies, all the McCain campaign has to offer is a blame-the-victim, suck-it-up attack on average Americans. I'm sure a continuation of George Bush's tax cuts -- ya know, the ones that used to offend McCain's conscience -- will get us back on the right track. Then we can all stop "whining" about losing our homes and altering our lifestyles. Christy at FDL has more...

UPDATE: (Nicole) McCain's been caught on tape saying that recession is a "psychological problem" too. I tell you, McCain's surrogates sure are on the pulse of America now, aren't they? (/snark) Let's recap:

* Charlie Black says that another terrorist attack would be a "big advantage" for McCain;
* Phil Gramm lectures us that our economic problems are mental and we're just a nation of whiner;
* Carly Fiorina lies about Barack Obama's (D) record and then shows her complete cluelessness about McCain's own record on women's issues;
* Rudy Giuliani says Obama is "capturing" an "anti-American feeling" that exists in Europe, where Obama is "popular." (Links courtesy of The Political Base) and just yesterday, Gramm trashed the middle class on Kudlow:

And yet, Obama is supposed to be the "elitist?

UPDATE II: Obama responds: "Let's be clear. This economic turndown is not in your head; America already has one Dr. Phil"

McCain camp initially stood by the remarks. Now they don't.

Kos: "Clinging" versus "whining". Guess which one makes big news, and which one doesn't.

UPDATE III: Too good to pass up:

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