There he was Thursday, in from the cold, seated directly in front of John McCain as the Republican presidential candidate took the stage for a forum at the Aspen Institute in Colorado.
The former Texas senator and McCain friend was a top economic adviser to the candidate until early July, when Gramm called the United States "a nation of whiners" stuck in a "mental recession" that overstated true economic woes.
McCain promptly rebuked him, saying "Phil Gramm doesn't speak for me."
"I think Sen. Gramm would be in serious consideration for ambassador to Belarus although I'm not sure the citizens of Minsk would welcome that," McCain said.
Interviewed before McCain addressed the crowd of about 800 Thursday, Gramm said he has not spoken lately with his old associate.
"I'm just a grassroots supporter," Gramm said, "a private in
the army."
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