Today former Sen. Phil Gramm, who co-chairs John McCain's campaign and serves as his chief economic advisor, had this to say about our mythical so-called "recession":

"We have sort of become a nation of whiners. You just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline. You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession."

I have to admit, this is just as smart as Phil's past economic pronouncements.

I was interested in seeing what the reaction would be over at The Corner. But from the hallowed halls of the National Review, only the sound of crickets.

Oh, but it wasn't always that way. The nutters at NRO usually can't say enough about the guy.

For instance, here's Larry Kudlow:

I’ve got two key words for a potential President McCain: Phil Gramm. Look for a President McCain to hand the economic policy reins over to the former Texas senator. Gramm would either be Treasury secretary or chief of staff in a McCain White House. This is good.

Phil Gramm remains a strong, zealous, free-market advocate. He has been sorely missed in the U.S. Senate following his retirement a few years back. Gramm has been working as an investment banker on Wall Street for the global firm UBS.

Gramm is a staunch free trader, tax cutter, budget cutter, and entitlement reformer. Most important, he’s tough as nails on policy issues.

The conservative Mr. Gramm would steer a possible McCain presidency in the right direction.

And here's Lisa Schiffren:

I'd like to see [McCain] push campaign advisor and former Senator Phil Gramm front and center, as a surrogate. Gramm is more than capable of speaking intelligently, and reassuring voters and markets that McCain is thinking about the economy.

And Jonah Goldberg::

Is it too early to start the draft Phil Gramm campaign?

And:

[M]y Draft Phil Gramm At The Brokered Convention idea is looking slightly less idiotic everyday.*

And:

[in a loud stage whisper, say it with me] Gramm...Gramm...Gramm...Gramm!

*No.