McCain has kind words in spite of 'whiners' remark

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - In exile from the McCain campaign since calling the U.S. "a nation of whiners," former Sen. Phil Gramm appears to be back in John McCain's good graces.

McCain singled out Gramm, among others, at a dinner Thursday night honoring more than 200 people who have raised at least $100,000 for his campaign.

"Thank you, Phil, for all your friendship and support," McCain said.

Interviewed before McCain addressed about 800 people during a forum at the Aspen Institute earlier in the day, Gramm said he had not spoken lately with the Republican presidential candidate.

"I'm just a grass-roots supporter," Gramm said, "a private in the army."

During the forum, Gramm sat directly in front of McCain.

The former senator from Texas, who taught economics in college before beginning a political career, had been a top economic adviser to McCain. Then, in early July, Gramm told The Washington Times that the United States consisted of "a nation of whiners" stuck in a "mental recession" that overstated economic woes.

McCain promptly rebuked him, saying "Phil Gramm doesn't speak for me."

"I think Sen. Gramm would be in serious consideration for ambassador to Belarus, although I'm not sure the citizens of Minsk would welcome that," McCain said.

After a week of criticism that Gramm's remarks showed McCain was out of touch with voters, Gramm resigned from his role as McCain's campaign co-chairman, saying he was stepping down to "end this distraction."

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080815/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_gramm [link]