Phil Gramm "Steps Down" From the McCain Campaign

Conservative economist and former Senator Phil Gramm has "stepped down" from the McCain campaign after he made the mistake of telling the truth:

Former Sen. Phil Gramm is stepping down from his post as national co-chair for John McCain a week after creating headaches for the campaign by calling Americans "whiners" and saying the country was only experiencing a "mental recession."

In a statement issued tonight, after the national news broadcasts, Gramm, a former Texas senator-turned-investment banker, said he didn't want to be a distraction.

"It is clear to me that Democrats want to attack me rather than debate Senator McCain on important economic issues facing the country," said Gramm, who has been one of McCain's economic advisers. "That kind of distraction hurts not only Senator McCain's ability to present concrete programs to deal with the country's problems, it hurts the country."

Gramm's decison comes after word that, in his weekend column, Robert Novak was to report that the Gramm and McCain had talked subsequent to the ill-time remarks and that he'd stay on as a surrogate and adviser.

But McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said earlier today that Gramm would no longer represent the campaign.

Gramm is one of millions of conservatives who are expected to "step down" from the McCain campaign this November.