Sequence of events
McCain says he is weak on the economy.
The media notices and starts to cover him as if it is true.
McCain trots out Gramm and others to show he has a good economic team.
McCain says something all along the lines of "Gramm believes in my economic credentials so the must be strong."
McCain proposes economic solution aimed at using psychology to attack economic problems including the price of oil.
Gramm says the recession is psychological.
At the same moment that Gramm is representing McCain at the Wall Street Journal Editorial board, McCain says "Gramm doesn't speak for me. I speak for me."
McCain says Gramm will no longer represent him.
Gramm is still campaign co-chair.


Obama goes to the same church, a Sunday or two a month, for many years. The pastor speaks as well as bill Cosby and Flip Wilson combined, does wonderful things for the community but occasionally goes over the top in his rhetoric.

Obama runs for President. Hannity's minions does a creative edit on all the material available from Wright over 20 years. Wright does not look good. Hannity conflates Wright and Obama. Hillary conflates Wright and Obama, McCain conflates Wright and Obama.
Obama sticks up for Wright and asks us to cut him some slack. Mike Huckabee sticks up for Wright and asks us to cut him some slack. We don't know what it means to be forced to use separate fountains. Wright goes apeshit and attacks Obama. Obama says "He is not the man I thought he was." and cuts his ties. Obama's Church continues to exploit Obama's campaign for publicity. Obama cuts all ties.

In one case the source of the comments is the same source as the financial advice. In the other, the cutting of ties is more than cosmetic political expediency. Obama is not going to that church. McCain is still using advice from Gramm.