Obama's upcoming 'Dr. Phil' shot

Posted: Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:29 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Obama will take a shot at McCain and economic adviser Phil Gramm for his "nation of whiners" comment and downplaying of the country's economic situation, according to his prepared remarks:

VIDEO: In comments made on Thursday, one of John McCain's closest economic advisors, Phil Gramm, called America a "nation of whiners" about the U.S. economy which he says is only suffering from a "mental recession." Newsweek's Jonathan Alter discusses Gramm's comments and some of Gramm's other economic policies.

Senator McCain, however, has said that we've made "great progress" on the economy. And Senator Phil Gramm, a top economic advisor to Senator McCain, just recently said that this is merely "a mental recession." Senator Gramm then deemed the United States -- and I quote -- "a nation of whiners." This comes after Senator McCain recently admitted that his energy proposals will have mainly "psychological" benefits.

Well, you know, America already has one Dr. Phil. When it comes to the economy, we don't need another.

Let’s be clear, when people are struggling with the rising costs of everything from gas to groceries, when we’ve lost 438,000 jobs over the past six months, when typical families have seen their incomes fall nearly $1,000 since 2000, this economic downturn isn’t in our heads. It isn’t whining to ask for more than just psychological relief.

And I think it’s time we had a President who doesn’t deny our problems – or blame the American people for them – but takes responsibility and provides the leadership to solve them. That’s the kind of President I will be.

The point of Obama's talk in Fairfax is on women's issues, and the Illinois senator will also go after McCain on his position on the subject.

McCain is expected to address the Gramm issue at a 1:45 p.m. ET news conference.

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Comments

As an ardent Obama supporter, I say that if McCain since McCain does not share the same views, then we should move on...
So you see, we can also disagree with Obama when we don't like his startegy.We don't have to disrespect him!

It's silly season as we can clearly see through the media.

A more important gaffe is McCain joking about killing Iranian civilians.

Where is that story?

Steve NewYork NY (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:38 PM)

The Obama camp needs to pound this one continually everyday. This is a huge gift from the McCain camp, Obama's crew needs to take advantage.

Matt, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:38 PM)

That's a pretty reckless train of thought. I can't believe people will actually vote for McCain but they will nonetheless.

I would hope that people with the ability to present something good to society would not have such an out of touch attitude.

That statement of "a nation of whiners" is on the same level as saying let the children starve, they're just taking up space anyway. It's complete nonsense.

But go ahead and let McCain's surrogates speak for him. Obama can save the money to continue helping those in need. He's a good man with good values. Obama 08-16.

BM (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:39 PM)

So, McCain is trying to claim he doesn't agree with Gramm's statement. That's a pretty big disagreement to have with your top economic advisor - whether the economy is really struggling or is just the product of an overactive imagination among the American public. How can John McCain craft any kind of economic plan when he doesn't agree with his top economic advisor on the fundamental status of the economy? Is this another example of McCain not understanding the situation (like learning that Social Security pays current retirees with money paid by younger workers) or is this another example of McCain not having any control over his staff (like not knowing that his staff is making comments about the hypocrisy of paying for Viagra but not birth control)? Either way, it doesn't sound like a very effective leader.

C in CT (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:39 PM)

Wasn't it just yesterday that Senator McCain, inan nterview with Brian Williams, call the economy a shambles. Stop whining Senator, it's just "psychological", "a mental recession".

Either the economy has gotten a heck of a lot better overnight or one of the senator's surrogates just stepped on the McCain economic message big time. Ooops!

Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:39 PM)

Another Smackdown to the McNothing campaign!! Stay uptodate 1st read or Barack's team will pass you by.

Deregulation is to Blame for most of our Econimic problem's, however it's Not to late to fix that part.

"Delusional Thinking By Common Sense American's Is Over "

Rick,Ky (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:40 PM)

Looks like Obama is going after the unemployed white women vote. You know, the Hillary supporters.

Tank Means (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:42 PM)

The McCain campaign's gonna have quite a limp for awhile what with that awesome bullet Gramm just put in its foot.

RobinMichael, Seattle (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:42 PM)

Love it..We sure don't need another Dr. Phil or another Bush in the White House.
OBAMA 08

jen, MI (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:42 PM)

now that's straight-talk!

ya know (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:43 PM)

I love the new strategy at the McSame camp. They are now saying stuff so far off the wall that even the media is not ignoring it.

jen GR (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:43 PM)

Excellent response.

McCain - candidate for Dr. Phil-in-Chief.

Graham's comments were so dumb, I was left speechless and typeless. Glad to see that condition wasn't shared by everyone in the Obama camp.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:46 PM)

Dr. Phil!!! that's a riot! We've got Alfred E Neuman in the White House, Dr Phil and of course the Grim Wreaper.

ya know (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:46 PM)

Gramm's comment on our "mental recession", and McCain's "psychological benefits" baloney, fit together like 'hammer, and nail'!

They're 'nailed' on this one.

donna (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:46 PM)

I wonder if CNN will put this on endless loop like they did the bitter comments? Nah, doubt it.. they are in the tank for McCain.

I know Chris, Keith (or Rachel), and Dan will bring it up. 50/50 if David will. Still doubt it will get played as much as bitter did.

"And I think it’s time we had a President who doesn’t deny our problems – or blame the American people for them – but takes responsibility and provides the leadership to solve them. "

Dems need to hammer that line home. I'm tired of hearing Repubs say Dems are "blame America" types, its time to hit them on their hypocrisy. They are the ones ruining this country. They want to turn it into a third world dictatorship, keeping the masses poor and uneducated, while they plunder the country's wealth. Bush is nothing but a wanna-be dictator.

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:47 PM)

GO OBAMA! You are the man we want, and you will be our next President...call those bums on every ridiculous, callous remark they make.

These repugnant, out of touch, condescending jerks in the Republican party deserve it, and they will get the clearer "mental" and actual picture that Americans are not "whiners", but we are p.o.'d and absolutely tired of their off-base B.S.---especially when they get soundly thrown out of office after the election!

PAMama4Obama (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:47 PM)

HOW IS THIS NOT ON THE FRONT PAGE of MSNBC, or any other news outlet??!!!! IT'S NOT EVEN IN THEIR POLITICS SECTIONS!!!!! COME ON!!!!

Hello???!!! Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:48 PM)

I may be bitter, but I'm no whiner. Maybe we should send Phil some more cigarettes.

Man-sized Safe, Corpus Christi, Texas (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:48 PM)

I would be absolutely concerned of a John McCain administration. He talks like he's his old self but his policies and behavior is totaly different. John McCain has changed, he's the wrong man for the times, and he is not as capable as Obama. The sooner the MSM realizes this, the sooner the excuse making and pandering will end..and a serious questioning of his statements and policy will begin. What Obama certainly needs to do is every time McCain or one of his advisors say questionable statements..hold a conference, a call, or a speech and call him out on it. Or atleast do a "weekly roundup" of McCain quotes(yes McCain "misspeaks" weekly). This way it forces the media to cover it and possibly John to defend himself. If Obama made McCain's mistakes his candidacy would be absolutely dead by now. The media should stop giving McCain credit he hasn't earned.

CJ (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:48 PM)

It is important how MSNBC handles this topic. MSNBC and Chris Matthers spent weeks and weeks on "bittergate" attacking Obama. I wonder if you will spend half that amount of time with "Whinersgate" This is a good test to show impartiality.

By the way...Why do people whine. Because they do not feel empowered. Obama wants to empower the people...again. Dr. Ron

Ron Indiana (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:49 PM)

Steve From New York, You have got to be kidding or else your really a repuplican. Ignore this gift after the McCain Camp used Gen Clark's words the way they did. Yea right..............

jim Mich (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:49 PM)

Phil Gramm? Oil and Wall Street advisor....?

The man to trust with anything?..

McCain's sounding board?

Will all Republicans that are hurting in this economy see these liars for what they are?

They are not Reagan Republicans...their crooks and liars like Nixon....hiding under republican morals..

McDump the GOP they're nasty...

BJ, CA (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:49 PM)

I think james coolidge is the poster child for why some men need to be s"fixed" early on, like before the procreate more men like him.

Hillary, NY (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:18 PM)

Hillary, have you talked to Jesse J. about how he handles these types of issues?

Dillary, Arkansas (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:51 PM)

Are you kidding Steve New York - you are certainly not a Barack Obama supporter suggesting such a stupid idea.

NO - Barack Obama and the DNC ...everybody needs to pounce this like our lives depend on it,...this was said and everyone heard it, from a John McCain senior economic advisor -

No more direct can this be - and if the media doesn't give this the attention it deserve -

we at all the town hall meetings - gatherings across this country will make sure - this message spread like the wild fires in California.

John McCain will not get away with this and anyone that think he should is certainly not Democrat or American for that matter

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:52 PM)

HUGE problem for McCain... it appears that the truth is seeping out of the "leaky boat" of the McCain Camp.

They ARE all for RICH people but really can't even understand the folks in the middle and bottom that are struggling terribly.

McCain's seven houses prove it along with his support for the Bush tax cuts.

It is time we take back our country.

http://laststopmidwest.blogspot.com

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:54 PM)

BJ, CA (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:55 PM)

Sir, Gramm is your top advisor--if you dsagree with him, WTF is he doing at the top of your go-to list?

laughaday (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:56 PM)

That a boy...come out swinging.Now give Caney-Cane the left jab on Nafta the cause of american job loss(which I might ad, he supports)!

TiredofMcCainsFreePass (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:58 PM)

While McCain makes comments about the Iraqi's and the export of cigarettes, this goes untouched by the media! If Obama had made those statements, there would be backlash, the Republicans would be all over those comments like white on rice!

Why aren't there more articles on that? Is Mark Salter threatening the media and the powers that be behind the scenes? I think that may be the case...

Lynn - Alhambra, CA (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:59 PM)

Old McAlzheimer's has to go back and check to see if he voted on anything that would better the economy.

ID,GA (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:59 PM)

You mean John McCain is going to answer real questions from the media about his economic proposals?

I'll believe it when I see it. I got a funny feeling the questions will go something like this:

"Senator McCain, as a war hero and POW, clearly you know alot about pain, so don't you think it is ridiculous that anyone would question you in any way?"

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:03 PM)

Is not someone whining when they whine that Americans are a bunch of whiners.

McCain is supposed to be acting Presidential (especially during a campaign for the Presidency) yet makes stupid jokes about killing Iranian citizens by sending them tons of U.S. produced cigarettes. Imagine the number of stupid remarks McCain will make if elected President and how well they will be received in this country as well as around the world. You can only excuse yourself so many times by saying "I was joking". Is there not always a bit of truth in those bits of humor and jokes that people make about other people?

I wonder if we took McCain's and Gramm's money away from them, placed them in the unemployment line and made them to wonder where their next meal will come from if they would whine.

Yep, the American people are really going to respond well to being called whiners. I thought during a campaign for office politicians did all they could to say this is the greatest country in the world and its citizens the most talented and hardest workers rather then calling the citizens whiners. Am I missing something here? Sounds to me like McCain and Gramm are degrading our troops. They are U.S. citizens too. Does that also make them whiners. Hey veterans! McCain and Gramm are calling you people whiners. What do you think of that.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:04 PM)

McCain and company just keep making Obama's arguments for him. He really doesn't have to do much to get elected. Let McCain keep making jokes and downplay reality. Obviously with his wifes millions he doesn't get it. I think it's funny that the republicans who preach individual responsiblity don't mind making money by manipulating the system and our people but when capatalism fails it's your average joe who suffers the most. No wonder they like the system as is. They benefit when times are good and have write-offs when times are bad. They don't want the average person to be able to do the same. I can't take the $30000 my home has lost in value this year off my taxes like a business can do. I can't take the $40000 my retirement account has lost off my taxes. Take these write-offs away from business owners and you'll see who the true whiners are.

amy (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:06 PM)

McCain and his surrogates are a train wreck.

See also:

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/top_mccain_surrogates_subtly_q.php

unbelieveable.

Kathleen (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:06 PM)

The fact that small businesses everywhere are in huge slumps because of the lousy economy isn't mental. The increases in our costs for gas, healthcare, our kids education aren't mental. Foreclosures aren't mental. Running as fast as we can just to keep our heads above water with nothing left to save isn't mental. Resorting to credit cards just to pay normal bills isn't mental. Either Gramm is "mental' or he and McCain are too insulated by their status as wealthy elites to know what's going on in the country they seek to run. Probably both with some age related issues thrown in.

Mom&Pop in CO (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:07 PM)

At last someone calling MCwar on his sh*t. Does anyone really believe this guy has any concept of how the average person lives? Im begining to think this guy has some real mental problems.

LENI,WESTLAND,MICHIGAN (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:08 PM)

To answer Curious George's earlier question on how hypocritical '...Obama can be attacking McCain as being a part of the problem due to being in the Senate for 26 years, and then to choose Biden...'.
******************************************************Becuase Biden's 35 years of Senate experience has put him on the 'right' side of most of the major issues since the 70's.
From the Cold War dealings at the beginning, to Social Security and Medicare, to the Biden-then-Clinton Crime Bill, to the Dayton Accords, and his Violence against Womens Act and now his 75 senator approved Plan for Iraq.
He is very much seen as hard working, no nonsense, non-partisian senator with Liberal ideals. Which is why he has been nominated to the ranks like that of Chairman of the Judiciary committee and now the Chairman of the Foreign Relations committee (like 6th in line to the president).
Some have even likened Biden's younger self to that of Obama much because of his civil rights accomplishments and that he doesn't ever actually live in Washington, but commutes often instead.
I say that's pretty solid and vividly different than McCain. He is also a professor of Constitional Law.

Scott H (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:09 PM)

Looks like McFossil has egg on his face again today. Good come back by Obama. How can ANYONE take McFossil serious when his TOP economic adviser is undermining him with each and every step? I feel another "shake-up" coming from the McFossil camp......he'll STILL be trying to organize his campaign in November......opps, too late! Blame it on a "mental recession".

Diane from Illinois (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:10 PM)

McCain, when saying he was not an expert on the economy, said that was why he relied on experts like Phil Gramm. He's gonna find out about high fuel prices when he fills the Straight Talk Express with the amount of gas it will take to put himself at a safe distance from Phil Gramm.

Whine E. American (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:10 PM)

DrMcNo
DrMcBush
Please just call a doctor for the old man and let's move foward.

Obama 08

My Whine in Vegas, NV (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:13 PM)

Tell that to my kids who can't afford to move out on their own.

Tell that to the college graduates who can't find a job.

Tell that to the former workers at the closed factories who have seen their jobs move overseas.

I have an old gray Swingline stapler on my desk -- it was made in Long Island NY. It works just fine and is made of steel. I refuse to get a newer one, made in Mexico and made of plastic.

Thank you Mr. Gramm for working so hard for the corporations and against regular Americans. May you rot for eternity for what you've done.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:14 PM)

Lord - it is enough to boggle the mind. What a wonderful comeback - I really am going to LOVE President Obama! GR is right - stuff so off the wall that the media can't ignore it. Paul, thanks for speechless & typeless - couldn't have said it better!

Nancy, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:14 PM)

McCain's reaction is far more interesting in its rash, unpresidential clumsyness. Ouch! Belarus??? Ouch!
Throwing Phil Gramm under the bus is tanatamount to saying you don't need the support of the entire fiscal wing of the GOP! Wow. Ouch!

Ian (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:15 PM)

Not really into the "dr. phil" soundbite...wish they would've left than one alone because it dumbs down the issue in hand which in my opinion should be the nail in the coffin for McCain.

That issue is McCain surrounds himself with people that can care less about the average people in america, and that we should be happy with the scraps that we are handed from the "kings court".

I'm sick and tired of Lobbyists buying politicians for what amounts to pennies for the tax dollars doled out.

I'm sick of the pushing off of responsibility of those who rack up massive amounts of debt americans and our government included.

And I'm sick of the deception and shadiness of our government to "closed door deals" with public agenda.

And most of all I'm done looking like an A-hole american to the rest of the human population of this planet for the people who maliciously use government power to inflict their will on others.

GP Chicago (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:15 PM)

Phil Gramm is right about at least half of the population being whiners. Coincidentally, whining is also called "singing the BLUES".

He is also right with the term "mental recession" because statistically there is not yet a "physical" recession by any standard economic measurement. I'm sure he will recognize a true recession once the numbers show it.

And if McCain's energy proposals are "psychological" it's only because that's all he really needs to compete with Obama on the issue. At least there is "logic" to go with the "psycho". We're gonna need more oil, coal and natural gas to meet energy needs, regardless of the success of development of "alternatives".

Just remember that if we are in recession, standard economic procedure is to cut taxes. Therefore, logic dictates that Obama doesn't think we're in recession yet himself.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:15 PM)

yeah i saw that part when he mentioned dr. phil and it was great, i love when obama goes after mccain and his camp when they are being hypocrites.

See video of mccain being asked about about viagra
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/mccains-awkward-pause-when-asked-about-viagra/
or
http://sensico2.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-blogs.html

camie (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:18 PM)

Scott H:

If everything you say is true about Biden, why isn't he your party's nominee instead of Obama? I actually would consider him a much superior candidate in virtually every way by a very considerable margin. The resume` you gave would seem to support that.

But when you think about the Democrat party, it makes all the sense in the world.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:19 PM)

I just can't believe what a hash McCain has made of his campaign. For some reason, I thought he was better than this. Must have been those Jon Stewart appearances that made him look like a likeable guy. Turns out all Republicans, even mavericks, have contempt for working people.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:19 PM)

There are so many DNC Ads I could make out of this election. We can start with the McCain Interview with Brian Williams RE Iran and just go from there; Geeze, I would make an entire Ad from that Town Hall Meeting where McCain was called out on NOT being a "voting friend" of Veterans. I can go on and on...

Barbara C. - Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:23 PM)

Richard, Washington State (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:19 PM)

Your time would be better spent figuring out how to replace McCain and Grahm...

GA GUY (Sent Thursday, July 10, 2008 2:25 PM)

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