NEW YORK — Phil Gramm, a top adviser to presidential candidate John McCain, is resigning from the role as campaign co-chairman after his comments that the United States had become a "nation of whiners" who constantly complain about the state of the economy.
The former U.S. senator from Texas and past presidential candidate made the remarks earlier this month. McCain immediately distanced himself from the comments, but they have been criticized constantly as McCain tries to show he can help steer the country past its current financial troubles, the Associated Press reported.
Gramm had also suggested that the country was facing a "mental recession" instead of real economic problems. Gramm said in a statement late Friday that he is stepping down as a co-chair of the campaign to "end this distraction."
McCain said last Friday that he didn't agree with Gramm's statements, MSNBC reported.
"Phil Gramm does not speak for me; I speak for me," McCain said.
When asked if Gramm would serve as Treasury secretary if McCain was elected president, the presumptive GOP nominee said, "I think Sen. Gramm would be in serious consideration for ambassador to Belarus, although I'm not sure that citizens of Minsk would welcome to that."
McCain responded to Gramm's comments on FOX News last Friday.
"I've been to too many town hall meetings and talked to the person who just lost their job to think that it's -- this isn't a mental recession," McCain said.
Wire services contributed to this report.
This video is from MSNBC's Countdown, broadcast July 18, 2008.
NEW YORK — Phil Gramm, a top adviser to presidential candidate John McCain, is resigning from the role as campaign co-chairman after his comments that the United States had become a "nation of whiners" who constantly complain about the state of the economy.