Republicans: The Party of WhinersSen. Phil Gramm, economic adviser to John McCain's Presidential campaign, got it only half wrong when he called us a nation of whiners. He would have nailed it if he'd hurled the charge with more accuracy -- at his own party and its supporters. At this moment in our history, when we ought to be thinking strategically, critically, and holistically about a litany of problems, and applying to them possible solutions that are visionary, entrepreneurial, and bold, Republicans have perfected their shrill and tuneless whining into an art form.