So exactly how unlucky was John McCain today, who happened to be campaigning in Michigan when he had to deal with the unfortunate comments of his surrogate and top economic advisor, Phil Gramm?

Michigan, as you may know, is a state absolutely loaded with "whiners" who have been in a state of "mental recession" for years.

Forced to deal with this unforced error, McCain was asked if he'd consider Gramm for an important economic post in a McCain administration, and responded: "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.”

I guess you could call that a repudiation.

The whole fracas is a reminder of why Gramm himself ran one of the most disastrous presidential campaigns in history. Its sole legacy is this:

Republican campaign operatives call it the Gramm-o-meter, the money a candidate spends per delegate won, in honor of Phil Gramm, the former Texas senator who spent $25 million and won just 10 delegates, or $2.5 million per, in 1996.

Just the guy you want commenting on Americans' economic sense.

Check out the video below to watch McCain's attack on his economic advisor from his appearance in the State of Mental Recession.