Gramm Resigns McCain Co-Chairman Title

TalkingPointsMemo.com - 1308 days ago

The McCain campaign has released the following statement from Phil Gramm, as part of a continuing effort to distance itself from the controversies caused by Gramm's "Nation of Whiners" remark:

"It is clear to me that Democrats want to attack me rather than debate Senator McCain on important economic issues facing the country. 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. To end this distraction and get on with the real debate, I hereby step down as Co-Chair of the McCain Campaign and join the growing number of rank-and-file McCain supporters."

This came in the wake of a few days of reports from Robert Novak, indicating that Gramm and McCain were still on good terms and that the candidate was telling his adviser not to worry about the controversy -- despite public declarations by economic adviser Doug Holtz-Eakin that Gramm wasn't advising them anymore.

One question still unanswered: Gramm may have abdicated his honorary co-chair title, but will he still be giving McCain economic advice, or not?

Late Update: Jonathan Martin asked the McCain camp whether Gramm will stop advising the candidate, and reports that spokesman Tucker Bounds "only said that it was Gramm's decision to step down from his co-chair post."

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