Regardless of the media spin on what Gramm said, I think he was right. Only a nation of whiners would actually want the Gubmint to provide for their Healthcare, salary, groceries, etc, etc, etc, and then complain when that same friendly Gubmint wants to listen to their phone calls or hold them without evidence. The world needs more Do-It-Yourselfers.
As to the "mental recession", he was pointing out that the country is not in an ACTUAL recession because none of the requirements have been met. But people hear the damn word on the tv or radio every day so they've come to believe it's either here or forthcoming.
Any voter that would be "driven away" from McCain because one of his advisors has the balls to tell the truth was probably the sort more likely to vote for Obama anyway. But thank Gawd McCain is Johnny-On-The-Spot when it comes to tearing down his own party, or someone might have gotten the idea that McCain actually AGREED with the guy. Heaven forbid.