August 14, 2008
Posted: August 14th, 2008 04:30 PM ET

From
Gramm was spotted at a McCain event Thursday.'
Gramm was spotted at a McCain event Thursday.'

ASPEN, Colorado (CNN) – For the first time since removing himself from John McCain’s campaign, former Sen. Phil Gramm publicly crossed paths with the presumptive Republican nominee at an event Thursday in Aspen.

Gramm stepped down from his role as co-chairman of McCain’s campaign in July after Democrats assailed him for telling a newspaper that the country was in a “mental recession” and describing the United States as “a nation of whiners.”

Gramm and his wife had front row seats for a conversation today between McCain and Walter Isaacson, the president of the Aspen Institute. The event was put on by the Aspen Institute and not the McCain campaign.

Along with Gramm, other McCain allies in attendance included top campaign adviser Charlie Black, South Dakota Sen. John Thune, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, and Lewis Eisenberg, national finance chairman for the Republican National Committee’s Victory '08 campaign.

Filed under: John McCain • Phil Gramm


LJinLA   August 15th, 2008 3:48 am ET

Either the lower 98% wakes up and votes for the guy who has been working with the common folk, or number 44 will run up another 4 trillion dollars of debt, and restore the draft to have enough young men to kill in the various conflicts his profit hungry corporate war sponsors are counting on to continue raiding the US treasury.
Stop hating. Give Obama a hand in stopping the madness. Otherwise our arguments about ANWR might shift to how we get Putin's thugs out of there, not oil.

Mike   August 14th, 2008 9:40 pm ET

Correcting Linda from Prescott AZ August 14th, 2008 6:01 pm ET

"Gramm is a sleazy disgusting slimeball who has gotten rich screwing Americans."

Linda, you are confusing Phil Gramm with John Edwards.

aaaaa   August 14th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

this guy is a snail he cant hide faster thats why he got cought again!!!!!!!!

bam   August 14th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

I thought Lindsey Graham had been dispatched by Premier McCain to the country of Georgia, but all the while he's in Colorado.

No surprise that Phil Gramm is still advising McCain on how to keep enriching the oil industry.

Carl Justus   August 14th, 2008 9:18 pm ET

McCain is no better than Phil Gramm, both have been on the public payroll all their lives and do not know what it is to work for a private company.
All both know is how to vote after the corporate CEO who filled their pockets with cash tells them.
Both are old and senile.

lovable liberal   August 14th, 2008 9:14 pm ET

McCain is loyal to every kind of Republican BS, including the whining Phil Gramm.

Dave from Florida   August 14th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

Poor Grahm. He hasn't heard that the headmaster is no longer allowed to spank the brat for his behavior that lies outside of the realm of reasonable, basic, common sense. Dr. Spock's book was all about politics, wasn't it?

dittohead with forty names   August 14th, 2008 8:48 pm ET

He behind curtain with Rove.Maybe playing footsie.

ron   August 14th, 2008 8:43 pm ET

Think he will be under control this time?

Jo Ann   August 14th, 2008 8:26 pm ET

tis old bat didn't leave McCain he just went under cover! He will keep being spotted. See what lie McCain tells now.

Jeffrey G. Brown   August 14th, 2008 8:23 pm ET

He has the kind of face you would just LOVE to slap!

Clif   August 14th, 2008 8:21 pm ET

What's wrong CNN ? You don't want the people to know about the "Keating 5" ? I'm just telling it like it was in 1991. Maybe your shielding McShame. Why didn't you post my comment?

Hawk Texas   August 14th, 2008 8:20 pm ET

I HAVE LIVED IN TEXAS FOR 70 YEARS AND HAVE HAD TO LISTEN TO THE CRAP THAT HAS COME OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GRAHM, HUTCHISON, DELAY, BUSH, JOHN CRONYN, AND ALL THE OTHER REPUBLICAN HOGS FEEDING AT THE TAX PAYERS TROUGH ALL THE TIME. ALL YOU WILL HEAR FROM THIS BUNCH IS LIE'S AND MORE LIE'S.

julia   August 14th, 2008 8:18 pm ET

DuhhH!!!!!!!!! He is stil a part of the campaign!! You think John McCain gives a crap about the economic problems of the American people??? Why do you think he would insist on this from his much-needed advisors???
Wake UP America!!!

KG   August 14th, 2008 8:16 pm ET

Yes, and John Edwards (the liar/cheater), Hillary (the sore loser), and Jesse Jackson/Rev Wright (the racists) have been spotted at Obama events. Does that then by default make Obama a lieing,cheating, racist, sore loser? By the way you liberals transfer one person's personality on to another, I guess so.

Dan Thomas   August 14th, 2008 8:07 pm ET

Why is Phil Gramm also seen in several pictures standing with Senator McCain? I suppose the is just a random happening also.

T   August 14th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

"I can't quit you"

Nicole in NE   August 14th, 2008 7:57 pm ET

haha – They've been saying for months he was still working behind the curtain for McCain.

But what do I know, I'm in a mental recession!

pgo   August 14th, 2008 7:56 pm ET

Americans are deciding whether they want to try recapture the racially segregated, oil guzzling, white male dominated, 1950's led by a divorced septuagenerian, 4th generation military man married to a trophy-wife beer company million-heiress; or to strike out boldly to build a new progressive chapter in American history, led by an eloquent self-made, raised-by-a-single-mom, community organizer, Constitutional Law scholar, Harvard educated son of a Kenyan and Kansan.

Peter (CA)   August 14th, 2008 7:53 pm ET

Wow, what a shock. An elitist like Gramm showing up at an elitist event like the Aspen Institute.

Of course, Gramm did. It's a great opportunity for his folks to get together and plan on more ways to take care of their corporate friends. Gramm is not far from the campaign and neither are any of McCain's lobbyist friends.

Bush = niaCcM   August 14th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

That wasn't Phil Graham, it was all in your mind.

Why did McCain's top foreign policy advisor get $ 800,000 (Yeah, that's eight hundred thousand DOLLARS) from the Republic of Georgia in April, 2008. Is McCain's foreign policy positions for sale?
Investigate that, CNN.

Clif   August 14th, 2008 7:38 pm ET

The heck with McCain's daughter web site . We don't need your advice Joe to check that crap out . Enough is rnough. You go to that website and take that old fort McCain with you.

Obama supporter:White, 60 year old woman   August 14th, 2008 7:33 pm ET

I will try this again:

Where is the blog on McCain stating today at his news conference the the Georgia situation is "the worst international crisis since the Cold War..."

what about;
911
terroism
Al Queda
Iraq and Afghanistan
...and everything else the Republicans have used to con and terrify people!!

Why do you continually let McCain off Scot free......enough og the Clintons, pictures on the beach, Huckabee...

William, from Cali!   August 14th, 2008 7:24 pm ET

Phil Gramm was right! We are a "Nation of whinners", look only at those "bitter Hillary supporters" and those losing their homes and jobs, or the "REAL WHINNERS", that leave comments on this ticker!

anonymous   August 14th, 2008 7:20 pm ET

Wake me up I am having the worst nightmare of my life. Hope this is not a real choice. I am starting to having morning sickness all day long.

psittacines   August 14th, 2008 7:16 pm ET

Same old McMilitary, keep your cronies around even after they are discredited....don't let anyone tell you who can be your advisors....when will someone knock those chips of the Bush/Cheney/McCain shoulders once and for all.....:)

This should let all those GOP backers know how the REAL economic plans of John McCain are constructed....remember Enron, Mr. Gramm???

Ambrose Smith, Borrego Springs, California   August 14th, 2008 7:06 pm ET

America won't forget that you called us a nation of WHINERS.

Go home you old and out of touch fogey!

Steve in TX   August 14th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

Watching McCain on the ABC Sunday politics show a few weeks ago,
I am convinced McCain has A PERSONALITY DISORDER.
He a power hungry, listen to no one, crazy man.

biffington, biff   August 14th, 2008 6:59 pm ET

please google songbird mccain

not a drop about this in the corporate media

amazing

Catya   August 14th, 2008 6:55 pm ET

Where was Gomer Pyle? OOOPS–I mean Mike Huckabee

Out bashing Romney-probably!

And he's not the only one lurking around   August 14th, 2008 6:53 pm ET

Just because the news doesn't report it, my guess would be many of McCain supporters are still around.

Martin California   August 14th, 2008 6:53 pm ET

Oh golly C.N.N. You are so fast on your feet. Did you or anyone else think he was not going to be involved? It is about time C.N.N. tries to be a news orginization again rather than a gossip outlet.

Obama supporter:White, 60 year old woman   August 14th, 2008 6:48 pm ET

Today John McCain stated that the Georgian conflict is the worst crisis since the cold war. What about 9/11, the fight against terrorisn, the lose of liberties to hold off the terrorists and the invasions of Afghanistan?

John McCain is not fit to be the president of the United States nor commander in chief!!

REA   August 14th, 2008 6:46 pm ET

hey people show them republicans how much you whine VOTE OBAMA 08

Cynthia   August 14th, 2008 6:42 pm ET

We all knew that he was still a part of the McCain campaign but just on the down low.

Reality Check Richmond Virginia   August 14th, 2008 6:42 pm ET

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........

up next: Jared spotted at a Subway.

Observer   August 14th, 2008 6:40 pm ET

In reality, I'll bet Phil Gramm is one smart puppy, but he certainly would be the LAST person I'd get any advice from. The man has no principles, scruples or empathy for others. He has no sense of decency and considers most Americans to be no more than bubblegum on the sole of his shoe. Oops...I'm whining again.....

americaN for Peace   August 14th, 2008 6:34 pm ET

This guy represents no one ...

Anne E.   August 14th, 2008 6:32 pm ET

I was sick of this guy back during the Reagan years, and I'm just as sick of him now.

Bukky   August 14th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

eewww he looks like a guys you wouldnt allow around your kids

Artie   August 14th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

Perhaps Phil was just there to help out his buddy McCain if there were any questions relating to WHO got us into this Financial sector crisis...
Good ol' boy Phil outta know the answer to that one.....Oh come on Phil, quit yur whining!!! LoL.....

Mike   August 14th, 2008 6:24 pm ET

Republicans – Convincing hard working Americans to vote against their best interests since 1973.

WORST PERSON   August 14th, 2008 6:17 pm ET

Gramm was spotted at a McCain event Thursday.'jil another old dusty Whiner... why is this News!!!

Chris   August 14th, 2008 6:16 pm ET

eww! I must go take a shower now!

Steve   August 14th, 2008 6:15 pm ET

Without him close to McSane. McSurge would not have a clue what the economy is all about.

Not So Fast ... McSneeky   August 14th, 2008 6:14 pm ET

Why did McCain attempt to sneak Phil Gramm out of his campaign in the middle of the night? I mean I know he called Americans “WHINERS” and said that the economic slowdown is only a “MENTAL RECESSION”, but isn’t Dr. Phil Gramm (Economist) the primary architect of Senator McCain’s economic plan?

McCain has already stated he knows ZERO on the economy. Now This? I’m sure he will trot out some replacement but the principles from Gramm are going to remain embedded in McCain’s plan, otherwise it was a bad plan to begin with.

Dwight   August 14th, 2008 6:14 pm ET

Gramm said that he's going to be just another McCain supporter with no role to play in the campaign. So now he shows up in the front row of a McCain event. Gramm and McCain are a couple of worthless liars.

Tel It Like It Is   August 14th, 2008 6:14 pm ET

FACE IT NATION: these two political parties are more similar than different. Neither party members has the will or inclination to do anything that doesn't directly or indirectly benefit their own re-election
plans.

DC POLITICIANS PUTTING OUR COUNTRY FIRST?
NOT IN THIS SYSTEM>

TERM LIMITS
TAX REFORM
BUDGET REFORM
LEGISLATIVE REFORM
ABOLISH EARMARKS
AND PORK BARREL PROJECTS
VOTER RECALL BALLOTS ON ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS BELOW PRESIDENT AND VP

STOP YOUR WHINING

offwallst   August 14th, 2008 6:13 pm ET

I HAVE VERY BAD NEWS FOR OBAMA SUPPORTERS

MCCAIN AHEAD FIRST TIME IN COLORODO 48-47%

OBAMA UP JUST 4% IT WAS 12% IN MINNESOTA....A VERY LIBERAL STATE!!!!!!!!!!!

WATCH OUT MESSIAH OBAMA...THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!!!!!!

Christopher In TN   August 14th, 2008 6:13 pm ET

Ye gods! Please spare us from this demented gerontocracy!

Montana is Obama Country   August 14th, 2008 6:12 pm ET

It's hard to understand the economics or challenges of hard working families and the American people when you are filthy rich..

Gramm put millions of people out of their homes while making money off their backs through loans..

McCain seeks the highest office in the nation when he has not earned it through real work.. (POW does not count)- OWNS seven homes

Malibu Cindy racks up 750,000.00 in ONE month of interest free credit card debt.

These elitist people are over the top insane..!

siftin-com   August 14th, 2008 6:10 pm ET

I doubt they were ever disconnected! It's politics my friend!

PG   August 14th, 2008 6:08 pm ET

Here's an idea Philly: why don't you and McCain go visit his birth country Panama and spend some quality time together until next January. Isn't that a great idea? Buy wait, just don't whine about anything.

Griff   August 14th, 2008 6:08 pm ET

Mr PG,,, You are much like me... Play your cards as you see them...
You? Only you, stand for "Mr PG". We beggin as we hope, we can end... Nobody is prepaired for the "Inevitable"!
Or are we? "War-Games... The media just love 'War-Games'.. But I'm afraid they are so full of Crap... Too Much CNN????

R.I.F.   August 14th, 2008 6:08 pm ET

Why wouldn't he be there? He's still helping McCain write his economic policies. WHAT A LOSER!!!

You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby   August 14th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

Whhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Mike, FL   August 14th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

He might have stepped down from his official position, but McCain is still running on an Economy policy single handidly crafted by an out of touch Elities who called us all a nation of whiners.

Baby Face   August 14th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

A face only a mother could love...and if she doesn't, she can't WHINE about it.

Obama 08

Joe Bloggs, Haiku, HI   August 14th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

Is anyone surprised? McSame's 'economic policy' is dictated by Gramm – regardless of whether or not he is seen in public!

Rita   August 14th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

McCain says:

He aint heavy, he's my finance manager....

Dr.Mimi De La Cruz for OBAMA   August 14th, 2008 6:05 pm ET

LORD !! THESE OLD MORONS WILL NEVER

STOP UNTIL THEY COMPLETE OUR DEMISE.

THESE OLD CREEPOS LOVE WAR.

Sandy   August 14th, 2008 6:03 pm ET

Hello, he's still with the campaign. John is probably talking to him every night. Gramm is his go to guy for economics. A guy who says Americans should stop whining.

O/08

Tim   August 14th, 2008 6:03 pm ET

He never left McLosers campaign. I guess we are still in a mental recession!!!

John McShame, Obama Is Going to Tax You & Cindy, but Not Me & 95% Americans Making < $250,000/Yr   August 14th, 2008 6:02 pm ET

Time to call us a nation of whiners....this is the TRUE JOHN McSAME!!!

McCain's worth over $100 million... He owns 10 houses... He flies around on a $12.6 million corporate jet... He walks around in $520 loafers. If John McCain lost his Social Security, he'd get by just fine. Would you?"

More: "John McCain wants to gamble with our Social Security... John McCain started receiving Social Security when he turned 65. But now he has a risky scheme to privatize Social Security - threatening our benefits."

Linda from Prescott AZ   August 14th, 2008 6:01 pm ET

Gramm is a sleazy disgusting slimeball who has gotten rich screwing Americans.

Always Question the Source   August 14th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

The 'Dipstick Clique'. Gramm will be lurking behind John McCain for the rest of his days – along with Lindsey Graham, Joe Lieberman, George Bush and Dick Cheney.

CM   August 14th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

Of course, look for him to get an advisor role if (God forbid) McCain gets the WH. Then all you that voted for him will start to see what you really went for.

And what happens to the PUMAs if they help this happen and Hillary doesn't get the nomination in 2012? You'd have fallen for the Republican tricks over 3 times now.

Joe Kiloz   August 14th, 2008 5:59 pm ET

It's political correctness to new levels, with the exception that Obama is allowed to play the race card from the bottom of the deck without media questions.

For those who wish better coverage of the McCain campaign, you can draw your own conclusions from his daughters bloggsite:

McCainblogette.com Truly informative and eye opening. Great pictures and great songs.

EDW   August 14th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

How nice, the elite are all vacationing in ASPEN.

Obamalism   August 14th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

CNN is now the paparazzi???

It's a well known FACT that Obama visited a known us terrorist bomber when he began his political career in Chicago...I've yet to see you run a story on that.

Catherine   August 14th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

As McCain said, Phil Gramm doesn't speak for him in regards to the "nation of whiners" comment but apparently McCain can speak for all Americans regarding the Georgia/Russian matter.

McCain just irritates me on so many levels at this point.

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT   August 14th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

THE REPUBLICANS ARE A DAMAGED BRAND ANYWAYS.

NOONE CARES ABOUT THIS GUY ANYWAYS.

Denise   August 14th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

Not surprised, he has been lurking is all

Cathy   August 14th, 2008 5:54 pm ET

As McCain said, Phil Gramm doesn't speak for him in regards to the "nation of whiners" comment but apparently McCain speaks for all Americans regarding the Georgia/Russian matter.

McCain just irritates me on so many levels at this point.

Abe   August 14th, 2008 5:54 pm ET

IS IT THE SAME GRAMM THAT CALLED AMERICANS WHINERS? THAT EXPLAINS McSAME CHANGE.

IndependentThinker, NY   August 14th, 2008 5:54 pm ET

It's simple !
1 old guy + 1 old guy = 2 very old guys

NC Democrat   August 14th, 2008 5:53 pm ET

Who are we kidding, Phil Gramm never left or stopped advising McCain's campaign. It's so obvious that Bush and the Republican party has destroyed our economy and McCain is hell-bent on continuing the failed policies of this administration...

California Gold   August 14th, 2008 5:52 pm ET

Phil Gramm and John McCain have been close friends and colleagues for decades. Gramm is the face of McCain's economic policy and although he threw Gramm under the bus, Gramm is still a very real presence of John McCain's campaign. Gramm and McCain are still devoted friends. If McCain were to win, Gramm would be in his cabinet. Those are facts you can bank on.

David Goldman for OBAMA   August 14th, 2008 5:52 pm ET

THESE OLD SLIMY DUDES GIVE ME THE CREEPS.

Clinton, no, wait, McCain Supporter   August 14th, 2008 5:51 pm ET

Phil Gramm where he belongs at last:

in the audience.

Gorbashov - Long Beach, Ca.   August 14th, 2008 5:51 pm ET

These economic elitists have no clue what the average American goes through, and they'll need more then their usual belligerent tax cut pandering this time around!

a southern bell for OBAMA   August 14th, 2008 5:50 pm ET

SLEAZY GRAHAM LEFT IS PLANTATION LONG

ENOUGH TO VISIT HIS CLOSE FRIEND, WHO HE

HOPES, WILL HELP HIM DIG FURTHER IN OUR POCKETS.

Republican for Obama - TEXAS   August 14th, 2008 5:49 pm ET

McCain is in bed with all of them. I'm sorry to say I was a Republican.

God help us all if McCain gets elected. Wars and rumors of wars.

Rob   August 14th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

Front row seats folks. If mcBush is elected this guy who thinks the economy is fine and that Americans are Whiners. Will be mcSames economics Chief advisor. How nice, McBush does not even have to try to fix the ruined economy. Gramm will just tell McWar that we are all Whiners and Cindy can giggle and say 'Let them eat Cake'.

Gene   August 14th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

Yeah.. that's called "Go ahead and step down from my campaign so people don't think we're connected.. but after you make the announcement, lets grab a couple of beers and figure out how we can keep you in the loop but out of the public's eye"

Does anyone here really believe that McCain has distanced himself from this piece of garbage?

Abby   August 14th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

This whining American is very offended.

RapidRay   August 14th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

Hail hail the gangs all here!!!

Abby   August 14th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

This whining American is offended.

A NATION OF WHINERS for OBAMA   August 14th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

WE KNEW BOTH OLD CREEPS ARE

AS TIGHT AS THIEVES, THAT THEY ARE.

THEY CAN DENY ALL THEY WANT,

BOTH DESPISE EVERYTHING ABOUT US,

OTHER THAN OUR TAX DOLLARS.

DR. YES   August 14th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

oh great.the 'whiner's' back.go away!

Barry Soetoro   August 14th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

He called the United States “a nation of whiners.”

Yup... pretty much right on... everyone wants something for nothing... feels owed... or if someone has more than me they should give me something... yea... bout right!

I've lived in many countries... and America is by far the best. We live pretty good... way better than most... and if you have internet access to even be on this blog... you have it better than 95% of the planet. Of course many have no glue... and simply live on their hate... sick and sad.

Ex-Republican for Obama   August 14th, 2008 5:45 pm ET

Hey Grahamm:

Are the 8k people over in Ohio that McCain threw out of their jobs and homes just whining?

McCain for President: We can all go overseas and work for Georgia, because there won't be any american jobs left if he's in charge.

Get our Troops back
Get our Social Security back
Get our veterans benefits back
Get our reputation back
Get our economy back
Get our family values back

Get Obama elected if you value ANY of the above.

dollorbil   August 14th, 2008 5:44 pm ET

Mc Cain could save himself a lot of greif by not being seen or even the apperence of being seen with the idiot Phil Gram. I have lived in Texas all my life and I have had nothing but contempt for the dummy Phil Gram. He did nothing for usTexas people and he will do no good for the country.

kendall   August 14th, 2008 5:43 pm ET

Look who McCain friends are, he can't through this guy under the bus, the went jet skiing together

IndependentThinker, NY   August 14th, 2008 5:41 pm ET

McTooOld /Phil Gramm 08
CNN are you whining now?
lol

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah   August 14th, 2008 5:40 pm ET

Ahhh! The poster child for planned parenthood speaks!

Phil Gramm your sister, who is also your momma, just stole your banjo. Go git her!!!

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
hambypCNN: @DanDoranBlum nice. hopefully you get two big wins over Pitt in one week.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:42:32 -0800
hambypCNN: @AP_Ken_Thomas excellent duane spencer reference. let's try to work in lee scruggs, too, before the season ends.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:14:50 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: Shocking - what's happening in Baghdad. Five terror attacks. More than 100 killed and 400 injured amid fears the violence will increase.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:08:29 -0800
hambypCNN: Kaine vs. Steele on Situation Room today in 6P hour.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:55:02 -0800
@edhenrycnn: My colleague Dan Lothian and I show what's it's like on the road with the President - http://bit.ly/7XSU53 #cnn
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:09:21 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP