Nation of Whiners

Former Texas Senator Phil Gramm, a backer of John McCain's, is taking some heat from Barack for trying to make the point that life in America is pretty darn good.


Barack is trying to make him look bad for his positive attitude. But Gramm's correct in what he's saying.

Democrat Barack Obama Thursday gleefully pounced on a comment by a top backer of his Republican White House foe John McCain that Americans were a "nation of whiners" spooked by a "mental recession."

McCain disowned the remark by former senator Phil Gramm, who advises him on economic issues, as the Obama camp used it to try to portray Republicans as oblivious to struggles of Americans faced with rising food and gasoline prices.

"Senator Phil Gramm, a top economic advisor to Senator McCain, just recently said that this is merely 'a mental recession,'" Obama said during a campaign appearance in Virgina.

"Senator Gramm then deemed the United States, and I quote, 'a nation of whiners,'" Obama said.

"Well, you know, America already has one Dr. Phil," Obama said, referring to a tough-talking television talk show host and psychologist.

"When it comes to the economy, we don't need another," he said.

"I think it's time we had a president who doesn't deny our problems or blame the American people for them, but takes responsibility and provides the leadership to solve them. That's the kind of president I will be."