Changes

McCain's co-chairman and top economic adviser, former Senator Phil Gramm, stated the United States was only in a "mental recession" and had become a "nation of whiners".  A campaign aide stated, "Mr. Gramm was simply saying that we are laying out the economic plan this week." <ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/10/mccain-campaign-initially_n_111929.html McCain Campaign Initially Stood By Gramm]</ref> McCain later repudiated the remarks at a gathering of supporters.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/us/politics/11campaign.html?hp Gramm Refers to 'Nation of Whiners']</ref>  Despite McCain's disagreement with the remarks, he has made similar comments in the campaign himself.  In January, McCain stated, "As far as putting additional money in taxpayers pocket, that's fine,  because a lot of it is psychological. Because I agree the fundamentals of our economy is still strong."<ref>http://youtube.com/watch?v=6aHJT1Ol0iE&v3</ref>  In April, he stated, "I’m very concerned about it, Neil. And obviously the way it’s been going up is just terrible. But I think psychologically — and a lot of our problems today, as you know, are psychological — the confidence, trust, the uncertainty about our economic future, ability to keep our own home. This might give them a little psychological boost. Let’s have some straight talk, it’s not a huge amount of money."<ref>[http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/19/mccain-a-lot-of-our-problems-today-are-psychological/ McCain: 'A lot of our problems today are psychological']</ref>

McCain's co-chairman and top economic adviser, former Senator Phil Gramm, stated the United States was only in a "mental recession" and had become a "nation of whiners".  A campaign aide stated, "Mr. Gramm was simply saying that we are laying out the economic plan this week." <ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/10/mccain-campaign-initially_n_111929.html McCain Campaign Initially Stood By Gramm]</ref> McCain later repudiated the remarks at a gathering of supporters.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/us/politics/11campaign.html?hp Gramm Refers to 'Nation of Whiners']</ref>  Despite McCain's disagreement with the remarks, he has made similar comments in the campaign himself.  In January, McCain stated, "As far as putting additional money in taxpayers pocket, that's fine,  because a lot of it is psychological. Because I agree the fundamentals of our economy is still strong."<ref>http://youtube.com/watch?v=6aHJT1Ol0iE&v3</ref>  In April, he stated, "I’m very concerned about it, Neil. And obviously the way it’s been going up is just terrible. But I think psychologically — and a lot of our problems today, as you know, are psychological — the confidence, trust, the uncertainty about our economic future, ability to keep our own home. This might give them a little psychological boost. Let’s have some straight talk, it’s not a huge amount of money."<ref>[http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/19/mccain-a-lot-of-our-problems-today-are-psychological/ McCain: 'A lot of our problems today are psychological']</ref>

John McCain is often criticized for "slips of the tongue" or "verbal gaffes".  During a speech on July 14th, 2008, he expressed concern over Russia "reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia."  Czechoslovakia hasn't existed for nearly twenty years.<ref>[http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0708/Remembering_Czechoslovakia.html Remembering Czechoslovakia]</ref>   

John McCain is often criticized for "slips of the tongue" or "verbal gaffes".  During a speech on July 14th, 2008, he expressed concern over Russia "reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia."  Czechoslovakia hasn't existed for nearly twenty years.<ref>[http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0708/Remembering_Czechoslovakia.html Remembering Czechoslovakia]</ref>  His campaign sent out a statement on the issues, which quoted McCain saying "Czech Republic" twice.  But the following day, in another speech, McCain made the same gaffe again stating, "And I regret some of the recent behavior Russia that has exhibited, and I’ll be glad to talk about that later on including reduction in oil supplies to Czechoslovakia..."<ref>[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/16/mccain-again-cites-current-events-in-czechoslovakia/ McCain Again Cites Current Events in Czechoslovakia]</ref>

In an era pervaded with computers, Senator McCain has great difficulty using a computer.  During an interview with Yahoo News, McCain was asked if he used a Mac or a PC.  He replied, "Neither.  I'm an illiterate that has to rely on my wife for all the assistance I can get."<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R9wnMVZE_Q Youtube: John McCain Admits He Can't Use a A Computer]</ref>  During an interview on July 12th, he provided more information, stating that he relied on his wife and aides to get him online.  "They go on for me,” he said. “I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I don’t expect to be a great communicator, I don’t expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need."  He followed up, stating that he did not use a Blackberry, but reads messages on aides' Blackberries. “I don’t e-mail, I’ve never felt the particular need to e-mail,” Mr. McCain said.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/us/politics/13mccain.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&hp&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1216062882-WQLoVeqid4IdgFtNqjqEXQ</ref>

In an era pervaded with computers, Senator McCain has great difficulty using a computer.  During an interview with Yahoo News, McCain was asked if he used a Mac or a PC.  He replied, "Neither.  I'm an illiterate that has to rely on my wife for all the assistance I can get."<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R9wnMVZE_Q Youtube: John McCain Admits He Can't Use a A Computer]</ref>  During an interview on July 12th, he provided more information, stating that he relied on his wife and aides to get him online.  "They go on for me,” he said. “I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I don’t expect to be a great communicator, I don’t expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need."  He followed up, stating that he did not use a Blackberry, but reads messages on aides' Blackberries. “I don’t e-mail, I’ve never felt the particular need to e-mail,” Mr. McCain said.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/us/politics/13mccain.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&hp&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1216062882-WQLoVeqid4IdgFtNqjqEXQ</ref>