Gramm: "nation of whiners"; McCain: off or under the bus, Phil

"Phil Gramm does not speak for me. I speak for me. So, I strongly disagree," McCain said. "America's in great difficulty and we are experiencing enormous economic challenges."

The Arizona senator responded sharply when asked if Gramm would have a key role in a potential McCain administration.

"I think Senator Gramm would be in serious consideration for ambassador to Belarus, although I'm not sure the citizens of Minsk would welcome that," he said.

Democratic White House rival Barack Obama pounced on the remarks and said they proved McCain was out of touch on the economy, a critical issue in November's presidential election.

Obama quickly pounced on the remarks by Gramm.

"I want all of you to know that America already has one Dr. Phil, they don't need another one when it comes to the economy," Obama said at a campaign event in Fairfax, Virginia. The reference was to a U.S. television talk-show therapist.

"It's not just a figment of the imagination, it's not all in your head," Obama said. "I think it's time we had a president who doesn't deny our problems -- or blame the American people for them."

In the Times interview, Gramm said "you've heard of mental depression, this is a mental recession." He said there was still economic growth and the United States was not in an economic recession.

"We have sort of become a nation of whiners," Gramm said.