Yesterday, McCain adviser Phil Gramm said the nation's recession is a mental one: “You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession…We may have a recession; we haven't had one yet….We have sort of become a nation of whiners. “You just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline…”
McCain immediately distanced himself: I don't agree with Senator Gramm…I believe that the person here in Michigan that just lost his job isn't suffering from a mental recession. I believe the mother here in Michigan and around America that is trying to get enough money to educate their children isn't whining. America's in great difficulty and we are experiencing enormous economic challenges as well as others. Phil Gramm does not speak for me. I speak for me, so I strongly disagree, go ahead and follow-up.”
Obama responded to the Gramm comments: “I want all of you to know that America already has one Dr. Phil. We don't need another one when it comes to the economy. We need somebody to actually solve the economy.”
Watch Obama's response, AFTER THE JUMP…