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Obama mocks Gramm remarks

McCain steps away from adviser's take to The Times

By Ralph Z. Hallow and Christina Bellantoni | Friday, July 11, 2008

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Sen. Barack Obama played stand-up comedian Thursday on the serious issue of which White House hopeful is a better steward of the economy, by ridiculing his rival's economic adviser for describing Americans as "a nation of whiners."

Sen. John McCain distanced himself from former Sen. Phil Gramm's suggestion in an interview with The Washington Times that the media have hyped the state of the nation's economic slowdown and helped create a "mental recession" magnified by a penchant to complain.

Campaigning in Fairfax on Thursday afternoon, Mr. Obama recounted in detail The Times' story in which Mr. Gramm made his comments, prompting his audience of 2,800 to hiss, boo and snicker.

"Today one of his top economic advisers ... said that we're merely in a mental recession; that's what he said," Mr. Obama said, chuckling. "He didn't say this, but I guess what he meant was it's a figment of your imagination, these high gas prices."

He paused for comic effect while the voters digested the Texas Republican's remarks, which Mr. McCain denounced when reporters asked about the story.

Click here for video of former Sen. Gramm discussing the economy and the nation's 'mental recession'

Click here for video of Gramm discussing why Democrats are gaining popularity in the South.

"Then he deemed the United States, and I quote, 'A nation of whiners.' Whoa," Mr. Obama said. "A nation of whiners?"

Mr. McCain said he disagrees with Mr. Gramm and speaks for himself, even though Mr. Gramm at the time Thursday was speaking on behalf of Mr. McCain before a Wall Street Journal editorial board.