Mac Pushes Gramm Into the Background

John McCain’s camp has considered Phil Gramm persona non grata since he called Americans "whiners" in a "mental recession" last week, the Washington Post reports. One adviser says he hasn’t spoken to the former senator, a confidante of the Republican on economic matters, “since the comments took place, and I’m not expecting to.”

Declared senior aide Carly Fiorina—who reiterated that her candidate believes the US is in a recession—“I don't think Sen. Gramm will any longer be speaking for John McCain.” (More gaffe stories.)