Obama Blasts McCain Over Advisor's 'Mental Recession' Comments

July 10, 2008 — -- Sen. Barack Obama blasted his Republican rival today after one of Sen. John McCain's top economic advisors said the nation was in a "mental recession" and complained America is "a nation of whiners."

Although McCain attempted to distance himself from the comments of his economic advisor, former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, Obama pounced, quipping that the nation already has one "Dr. Phil."

"Today, one of [McCain's] top economic advisors, former Sen. Phil Gramm, said that we're merely in a 'mental recession,'" Obama told a crowd of about 2,800 today at a town hall meeting in Fairfax, Va.

"He didn't say this but I guess what he meant was that it's a figment of your imagination, these high gas prices. Sen. Gramm then deemed the United States, and I quote, 'a nation of whiners.' Ho! A nation of whiners. This comes after Sen. McCain recently admitted that his energy proposals for the gas tax holiday and the drilling will have mainly, quote, 'psychological benefits,'" Obama said.

"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," he said. "We need somebody to actually solve the economy. It's not just a figment of your imagination, it's not all in your head."

Gramm was quoted in the Washington Times Wednesday as saying the economy is bad because people believe it's bad. "You've heard of a mental depression; this is a mental recession," Gramm said during the interview, arguing that America has become a nation of constant "whiners."

After the report circulated on the Internet today, the Obama campaign added a response to Gramm's comments at the last minute during a campaign speech originally slated to be about women's economic security.

Keying off Gramm's remarks, Obama argued McCain doesn't understand the economic difficulties that Americans are experiencing.

"When people are out there losing their homes and property values are declining, that's not a figment of your imagination and it isn't whining to ask government to step in and give families some relief," Obama said.