An adviser to Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has resigned after saying the US had become a "nation of whiners" over the state of the economy.
Phil Gramm said attacks against him had become a "distraction" for Mr McCain ahead of November's presidential poll.
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Democrats have seized on the comments to launch attacks on Mr McCain.
They have tried to portray the Arizona senator as being out of touch at a time when many voters are concerned about their livelihoods and rising prices.
McCain quickly rebuffed Mr Gramm's comments, saying he did not speak for him.
Mr Gramm, a former Texas senator, said in a statement: "To end this distraction and get on with the real debate, I hereby step down as co-chair of the McCain campaign."
He added that he was now joining "the growing number of rank-and-file McCain supporters".
Mr Gramm also said that in last week's interview he was referring to the country's political leaders, not Americans in general.
(BBC)
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