July 10, 2008
Posted: 04:00 PM ET

From
CNN

Watch McCain's comments on Gramm.

(CNN) – Just how much distance does presumptive Republican nominee John McCain want to put between himself and the unfortunate headlines surrounding top economic adviser Phil Gramm?

Apparently, at least an ocean’s worth.

Campaigning in Michigan, McCain was asked just how big a role Gramm had played in the formulation of his economic plan – and just how much influence the former Texas senator would have if Republicans held on to the White House. “Is there any chance he would be your Treasury secretary, or play a significant economic policy making role in a McCain administration?” asked one reporter.

The Arizona senator replied that Gramm’s influence might be limited to a corner of Eastern Europe.

“I think Senator Gramm would be in serious consideration for ambassador to Belarus,” joked McCain, “although I’m not sure the citizens of Minsk would welcome that.”

The distance between Livonia, Michigan and Minsk is around 5,000 miles.

Filed under: John McCain • Phil Gramm


Debby, NJ   July 10th, 2008 9:01 pm ET

BARACK THE VOTE
MCSHAME IS TOAST !!

bias   July 10th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

It's amazing as you scroll down the ticker how CNN is hyping this up to make it look so much bigger than it is. Almost every posting on the ticker has a negative McCain slant and a positive Obama slant. It was the same in the primary except for Hillary was the one being bashed. I see that CNN has not gotten off the Obama bandwagon one bit. For that reason and a whole host of others, this Hillary supporter will be voting for John McCain

John in PA   July 10th, 2008 8:46 pm ET

Maybe John McCain and Phil Gramm can open a small business together after they lose the election. They can call it WEINERS FOR WHINERS! Obviously McCain will be the president.

PCS / North Carolina   July 10th, 2008 8:42 pm ET

McCain the warmonger, who voted against the GI bill. !!
He is not a Vet, he is a traitor of the Vets.

Rob   July 10th, 2008 8:38 pm ET

Please–he should be sent to prison for being an idiot

NoBushThirdTerm.com   July 10th, 2008 8:35 pm ET

Did he laugh at his own joke? I find that really, really creepy. Anyone else? He…. he, he. Kind of like one of those weird pale lizards you see under rocks.

The T   July 10th, 2008 8:26 pm ET

30mins on Jesses Jackson and 2mins on Phil Gramm…What happen too CNN fair and un-bias I don't thinh so anymore

Michelle from Colorado   July 10th, 2008 8:19 pm ET

Ha Ha ha. Now we know that all the presidential nominees throw their friends under the bus. But why did you use these fools to begin with. Think, people, if both McCain and Nobama need to throw their aides under the bus, doesn't that make them the idiots who picked these aides in the first place? Or is this like a card game? whoever threw less people under the bus is the winner?

Tom   July 10th, 2008 8:17 pm ET

Birds of a feather "advise" together. True colors come shining through.

David Goldman   July 10th, 2008 8:16 pm ET

OH YEA, LET ME SEE NOW. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO

FIND OUT WHO GRAMM WORKS FORE. IT'S NOT ME.

### O YEA HE IN FACT HE IS THE MCBUSH ECONOMIC ADVISER ##

Pat in Cali   July 10th, 2008 8:10 pm ET

McCain's poor judgment is linked to poor judgment.

Gramm was his top economic adviser?! Wow. No wonder he knows so little about the economy. That explains a lot.

You can be old and have a lot of experience and still be clueless enough to look for advice from someone who is clueless.

David Goldman   July 10th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

BY THE WAY, ITS A GOOD IDEA TO SEND GRAMM TO

MINSK & MCMORON TO GO WITH HIM. SURE AS HELL

HE WON'T BECOME PRESIDENT OF THIS COUNTRY.

California Gold   July 10th, 2008 7:52 pm ET

So now he's offending an Minsk and that region of the planet entire hemisphere by joking of sending Gramm to them. Ok, now you've insulted voters with familial ties to that area.

I hope Barack Obama sends John McCain to Minsk with the goal of convincing them to drill for oil.

Monica for Obama in Indiana   July 10th, 2008 7:52 pm ET

Does, mccain have anyone young on his campaign.? or is it full of old rich republicans?

Poor mcain, he is getting it from the left and from the right. No better for him, for not going to his old buddy Helms funeral, but sent cindy instead.
Shame, shame, shame!

mk   July 10th, 2008 7:50 pm ET

Incredible bad taste and judgement, McCain!

Joydev@msn.com   July 10th, 2008 7:50 pm ET

The individuals backing McCain care little anybody who is not within that top 1% income bracket. Don't be folled by all this "maverick" and "straight talk" nonsense. Instead, look at the interests McCain truly represents and you'll see how his policies aren't going to do squat for Americans who have to work for a living..

What if?   July 10th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

So I guess it was a joke when McCain said he would distance himself from Bush, since he find this such a BIG joke. We are not buying anymore of your true, sorry jokes……

Jesse Jackson is a has been and want 15 mins of fame on Obama time…nothing more….

BretC   July 10th, 2008 7:39 pm ET

Compare the two:

Gramm is right about all these whiners ! We've gotten exactly what we voted for the last 2 Elections. So what's to gripe about ? It'll all work out in the long run if we elect McCain.

Obama thinks we're Bitter. He talks down to Women and Blacks, not to mention what he says about White America. He'll take us all down.

The choice is obvious: Vote McCain so that America remains strong by continuing Bush policies ! Don't worry about any differences, those are just to fool the Dems and the Independants. He stick to the Bush truth as a true Republican.

Jan   July 10th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

Please, Cnn, do not moderate my comments–you need competition to stay in business–Obama supporters already have the advantage because they don't work! What happens after the election to your viewers if you have biased moderaters?

Real person for Obama.   July 10th, 2008 7:33 pm ET

You are bounch of whinners, or not?

Well I think Phil blame you for losing your job or paying too much to fill up your vehicle.

Ohhh Mccain wants to believe he voted for every thing that he think Obama should have participated on.

Do't blame cnn, they have to respect the old man. You know old Mccain will not win the election, so they don't want to be blame for his lost.

Be real here, do you really think Mccain will win general election?

Mccain is old and can't run a clean campaign. He foregot too many important issues and he wants to run his campaign around security ,war and lies.

It clear people, if you want war vote Mccain. Mccain has no idea about economic.

Erik S   July 10th, 2008 7:31 pm ET

To the commenter who's tag was "Grow some stones, McCain" You speak the truth, we are as weak as our grandparents feared we would be, to listen to the children on this board you would think the world had ended. When I think of the hardships that my parents went through, what is happening now I consider a bump in the road by comparison.

Janey for McCain/Hillary   July 10th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

Hey, Aware–keep posting–they sometimes put us on–I love your comment –we need to keep the competition going–I am tired of far left liberals having the bulk of the comments on this blog. Onward and Upward–for Patriotic Amweicans.

Roger from CA   July 10th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

I will be distinctly angry if the press and/or the public lets this outrageous statement go, especially after the mileage Obama's opponents got out the misconstrued, out-of-context "bitter" voters remarks.

UNLIKE OBAMA'S COMMENTS:

1. This was not taken out of context as part of some hatchet job by a political opponent: this appeared in the Washington Times–perhaps the single most conservative newspaper in the country.

2. Phil Gramm cannot claim to speak only for himself. He is recognized as a senior adviser on economic and other domestic advisor to McCain. He doesn't go "off the clock" during a political campaign. I will be outrageous if McCain escapes taking the full brunt of the impact of this remark.

This is simply proof positive that the Repubs generally, and the McCain camp in particular, are completely out of touch with the public.

I just hope that there is at least audio and, hopefully, video of this interview. If so, then (without any hyperbole) McCain is toast!!

Jan/Michigan   July 10th, 2008 7:22 pm ET

Love Dr Phil–Love John McCain——

whiner   July 10th, 2008 7:21 pm ET

i apologize for whining, phil,but ,i had to call in sick today,because i cant afford gas to work,and milk for my babies.

Jan   July 10th, 2008 7:19 pm ET

To independent American–you can't have it both ways–Obama and his sarcastic jokes are legend on serious matters–you have to vote for someone–will it be Mr McCain with experience and unbelievable patriotism or Obama with "words just words"?

Chuck, Democrats United We Stand   July 10th, 2008 7:16 pm ET

McCain and Gramm both need to leave the country, they both are way out of touch with Americans as a whole.

Generation X   July 10th, 2008 7:15 pm ET

Everyone, you have to forgive Belle and Jan FL, they are paid Republican trolls and don't mean what they say regarding Obama. Both need a job and blog for McCain. We all forgive you ladies.

Orange   July 10th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

Okay, what he said is not nice, actually very inconsiderate, at the same time for any opportuntist who wants to buy a house things have not looked better in years. Prices are down, there are fabulous deals , it just could be the advantage that may make a difference to your financial status in the many years ahead. The golden rule is sell when it is high, but buy when it is low. Our real estate prices are on sale, time to go shopping. This guy works for UBS and they are now out buying.

Foreign observer   July 10th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

It´s a bit like French revolution: They have no bread ! Why they worry - they should eat cake. " Such whiners".

David Goldman   July 10th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

GRAMM, BUSH, CHANEY, MCBUSH & ALL THAT PACK

OF BOYS MAKE MILLIONS, UPON, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS

PER YEAR & SPEND OUT TAX DOLLARS. THEY COULD

NOT CARE LESS IF A GALLON OF GAS COSTS $100. THEY

DO NOT FEEL IT IN THE SLIGHTEST. BUSH DIDN'T KNOW

THE PRICE. THEY NEED TO GET ELECTED TO OFFICE IN

ORDER TO HAVE ACCESS TO TAX DOLLARS & LOBBYISTS.

Charlotte   July 10th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

Hillary Clinton, my choice for POTUS. I will write her name on my ballot in November, along with a whole lot of others.

Pat Riot   July 10th, 2008 7:06 pm ET

Uhh doesn't Phil Gramm have a Ph.D in economics from one of the better social studies colleges in America? Didn't he teach economics for several years and write a few books? Kids, he is right. The government can't and shouldn't try to step in. Look at what they have done with everything else. The reason food and gas is expensive is because the Democratic congress and Pres. Bush are spending us into a nightmare. They are rapidly inflating the dollar by counterfeit. More government = more spending =inflation = higher taxes = less money in your pocket. Stop whining and do something about it! Work harder, get these people out of office, be responsible with your money. We can pull through this as a nation but the only way to do it is with elbow grease and limited government!

vick   July 10th, 2008 7:06 pm ET

mccain you are a warmonger go home!!!!!!!!

Beth, VA   July 10th, 2008 7:02 pm ET

Understand this….Hillary hates Barack Obama. The only reason she's campaigning with him is to get her money back.

I'm not giving a red cent, and I understand so far Barack's supporters have only given her less than $100,000. I hope it stays that way. Nothing for someone who ignored the fact that it was mathematically impossible for her to win, stayed in the race and ran up her debt. My 81 year old dad got it right when he said he didn't know if it was arrogance or vanity.

WINNER= Barack Obama.

Ken   July 10th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

McCain is a loser, Answer the serious question with a serious answer Mr. Minsk

vick   July 10th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

go home buddy please please please. go to Cindey

Dr.Mimi De La Cruz   July 10th, 2008 6:58 pm ET

SHOULD SEND GRAMM & MCIDIOT.

Tom   July 10th, 2008 6:58 pm ET

John's formula for winning the election:

Pander to the press unless they ask you an uncomfortable question, then eat them alive. When your ratings go down, run on Jay Leno, or the Letterman show and pretend you like people.

al   July 10th, 2008 6:56 pm ET

********************************************

YOU MIGHT WANT TO JOIN HIM THERE.

Citizens For America First   July 10th, 2008 6:55 pm ET

GRAMM SAID WHAT MCBUSH BELIEVES & SUPPORTS.

Ned   July 10th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

Quick, hide the puppies from John and Phil, they may sell them for fur coats.

You're a mean one, Mr. McGrinch……

Denny, ND   July 10th, 2008 6:52 pm ET

If John McCain becomes the president we will deserve what we get. I said this when GW became president in 2000. We we deserved what we got:
Abu grave
Katrina
Enron
Firing Judges
Iraqi War for oil
Dick Cheney
Karl Rove
Disclosure of spies
Wire tapping
Torture
We deserved it for allowing that idiot to become the president. Well who now America, an agent of change or John McSame.

RCH, St. Paul, MN   July 10th, 2008 6:51 pm ET

Too bad we can't send all the Republicans to Minsk…. permanently! The American people are tired of paying for all their mistakes: a $10 trillion debt to China; $8 billion unaccounted for in Iraq; a bloody, illegal quagmire war; 4,000+ dead soldiers; skyrocketing gas prices; record Pork Barrel spending; rampant corruption & cronyism; a devalued dollar; the Social Security debacle; rampant illegal immigration; bloating the government; and an economy that's in the toilet. Time to throw the bums out!

chris in va   July 10th, 2008 6:49 pm ET

Aware, Hillary lost! Get over it!

Hypathia Lee   July 10th, 2008 6:49 pm ET

Mr. McCain -

What portions of your "economic policies" … your self admitted weakness … are the brainchild of Phil Gramm?

Don't know that you answered that question, sir.

Sharon, OH   July 10th, 2008 6:48 pm ET

What is a neocon?

Realistic   July 10th, 2008 6:46 pm ET

The McGeezer cabinet will look a lot like the Bush cabinet.

BTW, if experience were so important then we should make Cheney or Rumsfeld the President since they have far more of it than anybody else (though, admittedly, neither had dodged sniper fire …..)

Vera Butler   July 10th, 2008 6:46 pm ET

Still haven't heard the answer to the question John.

Stop stalling.

Ralph, TN   July 10th, 2008 6:46 pm ET

Congress is about to give themselves a 50% raise. Yeah, I'd like to send them all to Minsk.

Nate Hussein   July 10th, 2008 6:45 pm ET

"Ula Nejad- Sacramento Ca
Hahaha…at least we have a candidate who has a good sense of humor compared to some not so funny or rather dry ones from the other side."

You call that humor? Haters never prosper!

Orlando, NM   July 10th, 2008 6:44 pm ET

Ha ha ha–that is so not funny.

The sad part about this story is, John didn't say it wasn't true. He just wants to send the messenger away. I hope they ride this story until November because it sums up the difference between the DNC and the RNC. The Republicans couldn't care less about what's best for everyone, just their selfish agenda.

How about this John, send him to Minsk, and you go with him. We'll keep the light on for you.

Truths   July 10th, 2008 6:39 pm ET

Both Obama and Graham tell the truth.
There are a lot of bitter whiners in this country.
Just read some of the comments on the ticker.
Character is something we Americans no longer value.
All we care about is getting more stuff with as little effort as possible.
Maybe we do need more Dr. Phils?

God help us 08!

C. Brown   July 10th, 2008 6:35 pm ET

Send him … with a one way ticket.

We'll see who the whiner is then.

Griff   July 10th, 2008 6:34 pm ET

Beware of the Frigid Woman…..Viagra can't help you….

Loretta from California   July 10th, 2008 6:31 pm ET

Will we the tax payers be required to pay for this trip? If so, may I request that it be a one way ticket.

DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!

tina   July 10th, 2008 6:31 pm ET

to independant @5:26pm

You obviously don't have any children! I would also like to know what you consider a nice big apartment and plenty of food and gas. Making stupid comments like that you probably don't have a significant other either!!

aware   July 10th, 2008 6:30 pm ET

Right! McCain 08 - the only wise choice! :)

Forget Obama, the guy whose only priority is to win! The Democrats are finished!

The great pretender, Obama, mocks everyone. He thinks all Americans are stupid. He doesn't just pick on Blacks or Hispanics. He picks on those bitter…Whites too! :(

After all, no one should have the audacity to question the great one with his wealth of experience at obfuscation and manipulation.

Obama has absolutely no moral center or core principles!

Patrick   July 10th, 2008 6:28 pm ET

Like making jokes about killing innocent CIVILIAN Iranian's with cigarettes. "IM NOT A WAR MONGER!"

Proud American   July 10th, 2008 6:25 pm ET

Too late McCain the truth is exposed. We know you Republicans like the way things are. Keep everyone down and out while you guys do whatever you please with our great country. Well no more!!!!
McCain=Bush!!

chris in va   July 10th, 2008 6:23 pm ET

Grow a pair McCain, as I recall the Repugs were in charge leading this country into the depression, ever hear of a HOOVER HOTEL ? (cardboard box used as shelter) Also to hear your revisionist history lesson this country hasn't done anything great in 70 years, a majority of those years, once again, the Repugs were in charge. Get your facts straight before you spout your mouth rubbish.

scotty   July 10th, 2008 6:20 pm ET

At least he told what he thinks Wright of the bat not 2 weeks later wityh a big televised speech like obama does and did with his good friend I even named a book after his sermon. Rev.

Marc from San Diego   July 10th, 2008 6:11 pm ET

McCain's campaign is a joke. Senility seems to setting in already. It is time for a change - way overdo - we can't afford another 8 years with no leadership. The Republicans have sent us down a dreadful path - Lincoln, Eisenhower and Reagan must be turning over…

JIM...TX   July 10th, 2008 6:11 pm ET

We'll see if McBush really threw Gramm under the bus or just pushed him off the curb…IF Johnny fires him from the campaign!

Kelly   July 10th, 2008 6:11 pm ET

McCain has a Dry sense of humor but he is funny sometimes.
He didn't just say that Gramm would not be involved instead he wants to send him to Belarus. That is funny.
Give McCain a break! ! Everytime he tries to tell a joke the media criticizes him. He's not a comedian. His sense of humer seems to be more of a Satire. His jokes can Not be taken literally.
The Media should Lighten Up.

Rick FL   July 10th, 2008 6:09 pm ET

Oh you so funny, McCain. Yeah, go ahead and joke while the media tip-toes around this revelation. We common folk will just keep on whining in our mental state of recession. Sad.

chris in va   July 10th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

Why scorn him John, anyone with a brain knows that's how all Repugs feel about the financial suffering of america's citizens, "Let them eat cake!" The best way to let them feel our pain is to take care of business on November 4th. On November 5th you will hear them "whine" when THEY are unemployed!.

rupert gringo   July 10th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

For Mr. Gramm and others who have benefited from Bush's Welfare Program for the Wealthy (Tax Cuts for the super rich, bail outs for banks, tax breaks for corporations that abandon America to go overseas where labor is cheaper, record profits for oil companies that had a hand in creating the economic policy of the Bush administration and now want to drill offshore because let's face it, they need the cash etc.), I'm sure they are feeling no economic pain.

Vote for McCain and save the rich, greedy and corrupt. Afterall, isn't that what their America is all about?

KenB, MI   July 10th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

I've made some crude comments on these boards about McCain's campaign and right now I actually feel a little sorry for the Sen. The rats aren't jumping ship, they're driving the ship…dude, its not too late, get'em off the ship…although I'm still a Obama supporter.

Linda31   July 10th, 2008 6:04 pm ET

McCain you really need to stop with these horrible jokes. They are not funny!

Mike from Westchester   July 10th, 2008 6:04 pm ET

Can we make a list of all the people who we could send to Minsk in order to make the U.S. a better place? Let's start with Gramm, Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld, Black, Brown(y), in fact, the whole neo-con crowd, and last but not least….. McCain himself.

Shouldn't we all be able to agree that someone who said “The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should” or refers to economic statistics as "confusing" should not be our President? What has he been doing in the Senate for 20 years? But what the heck, according to the McCain team the whole problem is really just in our heads, anyway….. RIGHT????

Do I understand correctly that McCain performed even worse at the Naval Academy than Bush did at Yale? Village idiot, part 2? Been there, done that, let's not go there again ………….. please!

A buckeye   July 10th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

The Grahams, Bushes, Limbaughs, and McCains all in Belarus would be good for this country.

OUT OF TOUCH!!!   July 10th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

CNN) – Just how much distance does presumptive Republican nominee John McCain want to put between himself and the unfortunate headlines surrounding top economic adviser Phil Gramm? John and Phil have one thing in Common …OUT OF TOUCH with AMERICA !!!!

Caycee   July 10th, 2008 5:59 pm ET

There you have it, another strategic part of McCain's foreign policy.

Ula Nejad- Sacramento Ca   July 10th, 2008 5:57 pm ET

Hahaha…at least we have a candidate who has a good sense of humor compared to some not so funny or rather dry ones from the other side.

Ms. Sims   July 10th, 2008 5:57 pm ET

Now where are all the Puma's(aka Republicans) screaming about McCain throwing people under the bus….

Nando, Florida   July 10th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

This is just July and Mccain is still a GRUMPY OLD MAN!!!!!

R.I.F.   July 10th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

I guess he can just e-mail McCain his economic polies from there. It's funny how the media thinks that McCain's jokes are funny and just McCain being McCain. I'm sure the media's all ready to forgive and forget so they can focus there attention on more "important" matters like slamming Obama for wearing brown socks with a black suit or something.

Doris,Memphis,TN   July 10th, 2008 5:53 pm ET

John McCain is not loyal to Senator Gramm.
He will not be loyal to the American people.

Doris,Memphis,TN   July 10th, 2008 5:52 pm ET

John McCain is not loyal to Senator Gramm.
He will not be loya to the American people.

Keith in CA   July 10th, 2008 5:52 pm ET

Just send him out in the U.S. to find a blue collar job with a decent wage and reasonable health benefits.

adm   July 10th, 2008 5:50 pm ET

Yeah, right!

jake   July 10th, 2008 5:49 pm ET

At-a-boy John , time to do some more flip-flopping.

RoRo   July 10th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

why make fun of other countries?? what's up with that? first killing iranians and now Minsk!!
Come On!!!!

@HusseinIsAmerican2   July 10th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

I guess any republican surogate who speaks out on John McShame true intentions of calling americans "a nation of whinners" who are acutely going through "mental recession" would be thrown under the bus STRAIGHT TALK EXPRESS!

John, we are whining americans about McBush FAILED ECONOMIC POLICIES………….send us all to Minks so that you alone & your botox wife and elitist children can inherit the good 'ole USA!!!!!

Larry, Hazleton, Pa   July 10th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

This just shows us how far out of touch that McCain and his crooneys are - neither he nor his team understands what is going on. Maybe Gramm should just shut up - his comment insults every person in this country - we can now began to see what we will get if we should decide to elect McSame.

Susan, PA   July 10th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

he should go along with him…..

jim   July 10th, 2008 5:45 pm ET

do we really want another fool who surrounds himself with a ship full of idiots? come on america, let's make some real change happen. vote obama. honestly, this mccain fellow is nothing more than another bush term. we can't afford that. we can afford to try someone new, like obama. he's what we need right now. change. not more of the same old same old with mcbush.

Gary H   July 10th, 2008 5:45 pm ET

That's a pretty good responce by McCain. Not a fan but that is pretty funny!

jfs Memhis, Tn   July 10th, 2008 5:44 pm ET

Ya support your people. Is he not one that has ALL THIS EXPERIECE that you would have us believe that we will get from you Sen. McCain ???? This speaks volumes for your judgement and character accessment. You sir are not tricking us this time. We have been Had by the Republicans since 2000…..we will NOT fall for it again.

linda from South Dakota   July 10th, 2008 5:42 pm ET

maybe its justme but it seems mccain sure has alot of trouble with his campaign people,, this one goes or quits and this or that one mis-quotes,, ummmm if he ccant keep reliable people in his campaign them how does he plan on runnin this country??? Ill stick with obama,,,

Simz   July 10th, 2008 5:41 pm ET

Sheesh McLame!!! You are throwing this guy under the bus worse than Obama and Rev Wright. Atleast Wright wasn't a top level official! Dr. Phil Gramm WROTE YOUR ECONOMIC POLICY and MADE AN ELITIST COMMENT ABOUT AMERICANS CONCERNING THE ECONOMY. It time for Dr. Phil and Charlie's War Black to GOOOOO!!!!!

KE   July 10th, 2008 5:41 pm ET

PUMA and the other Hillary coalition is only the tip of the iceberg. They probably will run along the McCain ship with no problem if the Hillary ship is not sailing but the Obama ship might crash into it.

Mike   July 10th, 2008 5:41 pm ET

Vote for this guy America if you want to see what being a politician/lying is all about. Gramm will be his closest advisor doing things to McCain that we havent seen since Monica and Bill.

anti-republican!   July 10th, 2008 5:39 pm ET

perhaps mccain should go,as well.

Pam   July 10th, 2008 5:37 pm ET

Maybe he can send Gramm cigarettes to kill him.

Duckula   July 10th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

McCain: "LET THEM HAVE BEER!"

-what an out of touch, adulterous, senile elitist.

Franky   July 10th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

Uh-Oh. someones getting "whacked!" LOL!!!! Zoom…………..zoom!! LOL!!!

Rose   July 10th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

Oh, go on McCain and try to joke your way out of this one. I hope CNN has soundbites of Gramm that they can play for 3 solid weeks.

And to think that McCain tried to put the elitist label on Obama.

Griff   July 10th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

See Jessie Jackson spoke the truth, but because somone heard. They want to change the Word…. "The Word is Truth'..
John 'Man of the Moment McCain is also the truth… If it had been John overheard what would CNN have said…

Will-South Dakota   July 10th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

He's just echoing what Bush/Cheney and 7 years have done to this country, and what McCain will continue. Do any of these guys do their own grocery shopping, fill and pay for their own gasoline, do they know what food costs in small towns all over this country? So OUT OF TOUCH WITH REAL AMERICANS.

D&D   July 10th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

Now he's trying to bury his TOP economic advisor to cover up the mess he has caused? Not nice grandpa!

Turnabout is Fair Play   July 10th, 2008 5:34 pm ET

And be sure to go with him, never to return McGreasyface. You already admitted you know nothing about the economy so get out and STAY OUT.

Chris from San Antonio   July 10th, 2008 5:33 pm ET

This is his economic advisor, folks. Don't think for one minute that Gramm doesn't influence McCain in this regard.

Robert, Long Beach, CA   July 10th, 2008 5:33 pm ET

Phil Gramm should be forced to live on an income that is just $1 above the federal poverty level. He will certainly be mental before the month is out!

Ralph   July 10th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

Seems like the McCain Campaign is in for yet another shakeup.

K Mansfield, NY, NY   July 10th, 2008 5:31 pm ET

McCain's sense of humor is lacking in one key area: funny. Do we really have to wait until November for this to end?

Tom, St. Paul   July 10th, 2008 5:31 pm ET

Hey, all you personal-loyalty-trumps-all types who seem to gravitate to the Republican Party: What do you think of THIS?? He threw Gramm right under the bus! Your guy is not standing by his guy! What a traitor, right?? How can you possibly support McCain now??

Grow some stones, McCain   July 10th, 2008 5:30 pm ET

Grow a pair, McCain. Gramm's right.

The nation that fought the Nazi and Imperial Japanese war machines… the nation that struggled through a Democrat-induced Great Depression… the nation that fought a bitter internal war to free the enslaved within our own borders… the nation that took a hell of a gamble and freed itself from Imperial Brisith rule… this great nation that did all those things has been reduced to whining about not having a third iPod. We are indeed the spoiled children our grandparents said would become.

Jon   July 10th, 2008 5:30 pm ET

There was some truth to what Gramm said, even though he went in the completely wrong way to make his point. When the media and economists say that the US is heading into a recession, so everyone should stop spending money, a recession becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Marc PDX   July 10th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

Maybe Obama would like to send his three clergy friends along for the ride as well? (Wright, Jackson, and Pfleger - the three wise men)

Johnny Mac is bad cheese gone worse   July 10th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

Maybe Phil Gramm can join Cindy somewhere for a few photo-ops while she recovers from her cosmetic touchups.

James Hussein, SC   July 10th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

Why do the American people accept this kind of insulting comments from these two arshes?

Yea folks, he doesn't even have enough respects for us to talk about a serious issue as what is going on today.

Yup, this is the man I want in the Whitehouse representing me.

not important   July 10th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

No he does not. He wants to make Phil Gramm his Secretary of the treasury.

damon   July 10th, 2008 5:26 pm ET

Why is everything a joke with this guy?? We are in a recession and he wants to continue to give these failed tax breaks to the wealthiest americans and corporations that are laying working people off left and right. Then his advisor says something like this?? Is he just old and senile or just out of touch? Or both??

Independent   July 10th, 2008 5:26 pm ET

Why is it that I make nine bucks an hour, forty hours a week, and I don't think of myself as poor?

I don't even use government aid or have a roommate. I can make my bills, have plenty of food and gas, and even have a nice large apartment. I even have health insurance. So why is it that I'm doing better apparently than people making four times my wage at the least?

Oh…right…I budget and stay within my means. I don't have credit cards and I don't spend what I don't have. *slaps forehead* I'm so silly that way.

DJ, LA, CA   July 10th, 2008 5:26 pm ET

Don't you wish. Too late for that John, damage is done. Why did you have Gramm as your advisor to begin with? Especially considering his cozy relationship with the lobbyists.

DJ in TX   July 10th, 2008 5:25 pm ET

Too funny!! Now that's what I call distancing yourself!! LMAO

John Ret. Air Force   July 10th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

Get on the plane with him and stay there, too, McMutimillioniare. Your perverse sense of humor is getting old. "kill them" with cigarettes, "bomb-bomb-boom" Iran? What Gram said is no joke or mispeak. "nation of whiners" NATION!

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah   July 10th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

CNN is being so soft on McCain, If Obama said or someone in his campaign it would run for the next 4 weeks.

NickNas   July 10th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

Since McCain says stupid stuff all the time can he go too? wasn't it just a day ago when he said he hoped cigaretts will kill the Iranians? Was HE not speaking for Himself then???

Last Honest man   July 10th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Gramm is right. We are a country of whiners and winos

Dusacre   July 10th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Wow grandpa McCain, you get a temper!

LOL!!

TRUTH   July 10th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Wow, real quick to through people under the bus.
McCain kids about killing Iranians with cigarettes imported.
Man, this guy is a mess.

TonyNJHC   July 10th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Spitsbergen might be a good choice, as long as he does not cause an uproar with the polar bears.

Necie in OKC   July 10th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

He'd not sending him anywhere - and he's not distancing himself either…he just wants us to think he is…Mentally. I'll bet good ole Phil keeps right on advising. I'm soooo sick of silly old white men. Its time to retire and get some young blood in the House!

Unempressed   July 10th, 2008 5:21 pm ET

Why not fire him if you don't agree with him? Or "reject and denounce" his comments? (still have yet to do!)

You demanded Obama fire Wesley Clark…

mitchell martin   July 10th, 2008 5:21 pm ET

i'll pay for the flight if mccain goes with him,but,only one-way!

Marc PDX   July 10th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

Actually I kinda like what old Uncle Phil said. Look at all the whining on this blog for crying out loud (or should I say, "for whining out loud"?)… Another latte with your whine?

kim hussein taylor portland, oregon   July 10th, 2008 5:19 pm ET

oh please!!! mcCON will be smooching gramm in a few days, just like he did with bushykins!!!

these filthy neoCONs must go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! anyone who thinks we are safer with these whackjob neoCONs in office, like bush/cheny and now mcCON, needs to have their head examined by Dr. Phil!! it is pure insanity to vote for this crazy, old, loose cannon.

mcCON has now officially overtaken the shrub as the most clueless and dangerous politician!

Roberto   July 10th, 2008 5:19 pm ET

Come on McSame. It doesn't matter which one of your clowns is your mouthpiece. Your message is the same as Bush's and nobody wants to hear it anymore.

JA Cook   July 10th, 2008 5:19 pm ET

So McCain sees a major campaign advisor as best sent far, far away.

Speaks volumes for McCain's judgement.

Lesley   July 10th, 2008 5:18 pm ET

It's too late for all this. He has been advising you ever since Day One when you decided to adopt Bush's tax policies. Is there another shake-up in the offing? Maybe you'll get it right by November. Good judgment, McCain.

Independent-Minded American   July 10th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

Unbelievable! People are losing their jobs and homes, and this guy's making jokes?

FJ from Atlanta   July 10th, 2008 5:16 pm ET

He was once your top economic adviser, now you throwing completely under the bus. Awesome!

Obama '08

Foreign observer   July 10th, 2008 5:15 pm ET

Don´t send him to Siberia, just close his financial account so everybody can see how to solve a mental problem.

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