A Long Shot Who Made Short Shrift of His Rivals

April 27th, 2007 by alex
By Mark Leibovich NY Times

 

ORANGEBURG, S.C., April 26 — Every field of candidates needs, for lack of a better term, comic relief — for the sake of keeping things interesting and, if everybody is lucky, for making the other smoothies on stage a little uncomfortable.

And at Thursday night’s Democratic debate, that role was played to all its glory by former Senator Mike Gravel, an Alaskan and onetime New York City cabdriver who embraced the role of scolding elder statesman to the ambitious, but more guarded, youngsters by his side.

Mr. Gravel was the first candidate to wander on stage, by himself, a little before 7 p.m. “Who’s that?” an audience member asked aloud. He largely eschewed the postdebate handshake, moped around for a few minutes and then headed off. “I’m not into those little niceties,” he said later.

In between, if Mr. Gravel, 77, did not steal the show, he certainly stole some of the limited sound-bite pie.

¶He proposed not just that the United States leave Iraq, but also that Congress enact a law that would make it a felony to stay there.

¶He said that some of his fellow Democratic candidates “frighten me” and that Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. had “a certain arrogance.”

¶He declared, at one point, that the United States had “no important enemies” and turned the questions back to the moderator, Brian Williams of NBC. “Who are we afraid of?” he asked. “Who are you afraid of, Brian?”

¶He said Osama bin Laden was so happy that the United States invaded Iraq “he must have been rolling in his blankets.”

It is not clear exactly what the Osama-in-blankets line meant, but like most things that rambled from the busy lips of Mr. Gravel, it left many audience members rolling in the aisles. He served as a kind of cranky uncle in the solemn field of well-barbered, sound-bite practitioners with whom he shared the stage, joining the other long shot, Representative Dennis J. Kucinich, in berating the others as being too cautious in trying to get troops out of Iraq.

While most of his fellow candidates were content to chuckle at Mr. Gravel’s meanderings and not engage him, he could be relentless to a point where his stagemates could not resist. For instance, what was the poor Senator Barack Obama to do when Mr. Gravel keep poking at him, saying, “Tell me, Barack. Who — Barack, who’s — who do you want to nuke?”

“I’m not planning to nuke anyone right now, Mike; I promise you,” Mr. Obama reassured him.

“Good, good,” Mr. Gravel replied, satisfied, for now. “We’re safe then for a while.”

As with any such long-shot candidate, Mr. Gravel faces recurring questions about why he is here, and whether he is serious about winning the Democratic presidential nomination nearly a quarter-century after Alaskans voted him out of the Senate . Mr. Williams asked him as much, recalling that Mr. Gravel recently said it did not matter if he was elected president or not.

Mr. Gravel said he had made that statement before he had the chance to stand with the other candidates a few times. “It’s like going into the Senate,” he said. “You know the first time you get there you’re all excited — ‘My God, how did I ever get here?’ And then, about six months later, you say, ‘How the hell did the rest of them get here?’ ”

After the debate, Mr. Gravel did his own spinning in the spin room, delivering an entire interview in French with a Canadian television reporter. He poked his finger into the chest of a local reporter while saying he thought he had not had enough time to speak. He adjusted his hearing aid, fidgeted with a bright red tie emblazoned with “We the people.”

Darting across the room for another interview, Mr. Gravel said: “I get too angry. I have to work on that.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/27/us/politics/27scene.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Comments

CNN update

Submitted on May 2nd, 2007 by AthensProject

Senator Gravel HAS been invited. No need to contact CNN until the next time they have their head stuck up their impolite areas.

--Bill Jacobs

Coordinator, Athens Project (www.athensproject.com)

Cnn debate

Submitted on April 29th, 2007 by ari rutenberg

Dear All Mike Gravel supporters,

Mike should be included in the upcoming debate on CNN. If you want to help, please call Jim Walton, President of CNN Newsgroup, personally in his office at 404-878-1720. If enough people call, which I and many of my friends already have, maybe theyll change their minds. Please post this number as many places as you can so we can get a high call volume.

Go Gravel!

Ari Rutenberg

Ari.rutenberg@gmail.com

WOW!

Submitted on April 29th, 2007 by bdrube

Dear Mike:

Thank you for speaking THE TRUTH at the Democratic debate.  I've been a Kucinich supporter until now, but I'll switch if you make the primary ballot in Virginia. 

I also wanted to note that you received kudos from Antiwar.com, a Libertarian (as opposed to Liberal) website.  I received the distinct impression that they'd love to see a Gravel-Ron Paul political alliance.  Can't say I would argue with them.

Keep up the good fight!

Sincerely,

Brian D. Rubendall

Oakton, Virginia 

   

almost 40 years ago

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by kauaianken

You go Mike!

I was on-air at KINY the nite in 1968 when your home video ran on Alaska TV and then, suddenly, you were our senator.

Still coming strong from far back in the pack, I see.

Very impressive. Think I'll blog ya on SusHI so my island neighbors get a heads-up on your candicacy.

Interesting debate....I'm listening...

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by shawn0900

Mr. Gravel,

Until the other night, I had honestly never heard of you. Thank you for injecting life and honesty into the debate. I have been an independent voter my whole life, but honestly have never voted republican. I will be watching your campaign with great interest. As for your performance review in the press, it’s typical and expected. What would they have had to write about it if you weren’t there? Not a whole lot. I have one suggestion though, please try and contain yourself a little or you will lose the intellectual voters. That is the same mistake Ross Perot made. I appreciate your anger towards our current situation; the majority of the country feels the same way. I can’t listen to anyone in this administration speak without getting angry these days. However, you need to show your anger through polished factual debate. Call them on their lies and misinformation, ask the tough questions, demand honest answers, show the people that you have a real plan, but please do it in a way that shows you have full control of your emotions and the kind professionalism people expect to see in a president. Do that and you may just have my vote.

Shawn

Pepperell, MA

At Last, Someone I Can Vote For!

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by W3Rez

You've got my vote Mr. Gravel.

Thank you, Mr.Gravel

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by am
My family and I watched the debate together. You stole the show Sir! My husband and I were clapping as if we were watching our favorite team in the Superbowl. You have given us hope, hope that our children do not have to fear a draft in the not so distant future. We are independants. We too had never heard about you until last night. We were very impressed by you. We couldn't believe that the network (msnbc) that held the debate did not have a bio for you on their website. What a crock! You have our support and we will be spreading the word. Thank you, please do not let the machine silence you.

Finally... A man I can vote for!!!

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by bunnyfawn

Senator, Gravel,

You speak the truth and corporate whores don't like it! You've got my vote and my friends too!!! Your messages is what We The People been dying to hear from someone who truly cares about "We The People!!!"

Thank YOU!!!

bunnyfawn

Question of perspective??

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by Andre Prochoroff

Why are these mainstream commentaries, as this one from the NYT, so pervasive in our media (USA)? Why does this Liebovich??from the NYT refer to candidates such as Mike Gravel as "comic relief"? The idea of comedy when discussing deaths of thousands would be considered perverted and sadistic and would not stand any legitimate criteria of moral standards.

In response, it only signifies that there truely exsists this  "specific"  pushing and persuading of an agenda (preconceived??) on to the listening/reading audience. In the end it diminishes the value of what is being told, makes the audience disregard the contents of what they are hearing.

Also of interest, it was the Gravel and Kucinich views which are practically untouched by the other candidates as far as the topics/ viewpoints of discussion. The topics are pretty much TABOO, if you like. This is the so called "politics as usual". Will it change for the better????

I wish. We need more people with a better understanding and will. 

Gavel and Kucinich!!!!

Look ,if you are interested in saving this country of OURs, then we need people like this.

Great SenatorNever forget

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by theone123ord

Great Senator

Never forget that the millions who turned out in the mid-terms to get Dems back in are

still out here (in spite of being screwed by so many of those same dems by not cleaning

house). Folks, this man is the real deal. Other than Dennis K. and Ron Paul to not be

bought out by the corporations.

Google Bush Crime Family.

 

senator gravel - i watched

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by maya h

senator gravel -

i watched last night w/ 15 other ppl & we all agreed that you were wonderful. we didn't like it that you didn't get asked many questions - but we did enjoy hearing you present your deep knowledge of the issues unabashedly & w/ candor. so refreshing! so needed in our badly battered & weary country! (damn you karl rove)

you have revived my attitude towards this long election season & i hope you continue on your roll & get out into the public eye more. DEMAND the press take you seriously! i do - & i look forward to voting for you in the ny primary.

 

all the best - maya h.

Voting online Poll

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by Human

Whew! My finger is tired. Can't say I increased the %, but he didn't lose any ground. Votes are coming in pretty quick. I gotta hit the hay.

Peace.

Presidental Material

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by Alex Croley

I have been very much in a quandery about who I would want as President of the Untied States. Clinton, and Obama, seemed to be the only two canadates for President.  The problem was I didn't like neither one of them.  Obama in particular, especially with his hawkish mannerisms.  Then I saw a man who I have never heard of up until that evening, (former) Senator Gravel.  Between Kurinich and himself I found two new people who I respected in a very short amount of time.  My decision toward Gravel is based on the fact that he didn't take Obama's slam tactic at the end of the debate.  As a matter of fact his raw truthfulness, and the fact that he had to bang the doors to get into the Presidential debate, via Air America among other shows; Gravel showed me that he was willing to go all the way to show America how great of a country it could be once again.

RE: Presidential Material

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by Robert Cottone
Mike Gravel knows what he is talking about. We as voters have to do as much of our own research that we can! We have the internet as an incredible resource! Don't forget that the corporate news is just that: corporate! As corporations they have their own personal interests that affect their main goal of keeping profits up by keeping revenues high and costs low. We as people are their workforce, their employees, their costs. Candidates that are tied to influential corporations either through campaign donations or long political loyalties will be favored by these corporations. The role of the media is to provide the people (the voters) with unbiased information, providing equal airtime and opportunity for candidates to express their positions, etc, etc. However, since the dominate sources of media are corporate, the "news" that we get is not unbiased. As voters we have to remember that we have always been in a struggle to expand our rights. Often this fight manifests itself as rich vs. poor. This occurs because the rich usually make decisions based heavily on their economic power not on the rights of the people. A conflict of interest develops when the media is a corporation, and "news" shows, dependent upon ratings, have to make a profit. In short, I sincerely advise everyone to study and research this country's history. Please research the military-industrial complex. President Eisenhower warned us of it in his farewell address to the nation. You can do so much research online. Please use wikipedia.org. Research the backgrounds and histories of all the people running for office. Research their corporate ties, their scandals, their histories. Investigate the campaign contributors to the candidates. Research the corporations. Find out who the CEOs are, and how much money they make, and why they have so much power in our government. We are supposed have a government "of and for the people". We think we still have this, but in actuality we don't. The corporations have been very successful in making our interests the same as their interests. They are able to do this by dominating our ideas and opinions. They are able to do this by dominating what we see and hear on TV. They are very successful at doing this. Please be an independent thinker, researcher, investigator. Mike Gravel is unknown to the American public despite being the first to announce his campaign among the presidential candidates. His ideas are not covered by the corporate media because his ideas are not ones that the corporations want us (their workforce) to hear. His voice is suppressed because it is truthful. His ideas are not new, just new to recent public debate. There is a reason why he is not listed as a candidate on cnn.com, msnbc.com, foxnews.com. If the media doesn't portray him in a serious manner then neither will their viewers. This is why Chris Mathews makes sure to laugh at him in an interview after the debate. The coroporate media's portrayal of Gravel has been and will likely continue to be one that does not accurately characterize him. Research who the CEOs of the media corporations are (e.g. Rupert Murdoch). Please spread the word and the information! Please watch "Why We Fight" on youtube.com and so many other videos. Thanks.

MSNBC online Poll

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by Human

One can vote for who did best and such at the debate here ->

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18335732/

I never heard of Mr. Gravel. I like what I heard. As an Indy I'm not owned by any party. Until I heard Mr. Gravel I was leaning towards Rep. Ron Paul.

Peace.

 

You are the winner of the 1st debate!

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by GC
GRAVEL FOR PRESIDENT! You showed them what a real democrat is bravo! You won the 1st debate without a doubt! You are a breath of fresh air keep it up! GC

If you're not Mad.... you're not Paying Attention!

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by GregNewYork

I like the spin that the media is trying to pin on Gravel.... that Olberman character on MSNBC tried to pin him with a 'Zell Miller' label..... and the writer of the above article labeling him a 'Cranky Old Uncle'.... well not for nothing.... this guy was the best of the Bunch... Hands Down!

I pay attention..... i am on top of all of the so called 'Progressive' websites.... and until last night's debate on MSNBC.... I never heard of this guy before either.

Visiting his website.... listening to a few of his lectures...... this guy is ON THE BALL.... quoting Eisenhower regarding the Military Complex.... I mean come on.... this guy is what the United States of America NEEDS to be the President after this absolute disaster we have put ourselves in over in Iraq.

I loved the line... 'Who are YOU afraid of?'

His website is a must visit.... I think everyone needs to start sending out his web address to everyone on their email lists.....  only because the Corporate Media Machine has obviously been blacklisting this guy the way they did someone who pulled in 20 % of the primary vote here in New York against Hillary Clinton late last year... Jonathan Tasini.....yep.. I bet not to many people out there heard of him either.... because the Media didn't want you to know about him.

 

Right On!

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by Jennifer L

I am so inspired, and I keep telling my coworkers all about Gravel, and THEY ARE GOING TO REGISTER TO VOTE to vote for Gravel!  It takes a tour de force to upliftingly motivate the American people to understand that things CAN be different, they CAN be better.

 I feel introduced to the America I love, I feel like we can take back America from the people who have outright hijacked it.  I haven't felt this way since standing at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.  Thank you, thank you Mike Gravel!

Much much love and peace, keep on keepin' on!  We need you!

Greg's Right

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by Bosoxdad

He's not beholden to big media.  Big media wants to see the big bucks -- and then we get sound bites -- not substance.  Well, Mike sees right through this and has the fire in his belly to speak truth to power.  You're absolutely right -- it's up to us to do our part.  So spread the word -- Gravel rocks! 

Well, for what it's worth, I

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by Richard Welser

Well, for what it's worth, I think you are the only supportable candidate. You actually appear to know something of what is going on and are willing to confront it. That makes you special. Really, really, special. In whatever way I can support I will.

dr. rdw
forensic neuropsychologist

He batted one out of the park!

Submitted on April 27th, 2007 by stonefruit

Although I am a "political news junky," I never heard of him before yesterday's debate.  Now that I have, I must say, I am extremely impressed!  What a sad commentary on the state of America that hearing plain truth spoken on the mainstream media (and to Power) comes across as SO brisk and refreshing.  I need to look into the details of his specific policy proposals more closely, but my gut reaction tells me he just converted a die-hard Kucinista from 2004 (although you should keep him around as veep, old man).

Detailed policy scrutiny to come aside, I heard righteous anger spoken with precision and force against candidates and a political-economic-military system all-too-accustomed to letting blow-dried, finger-to-the-wind, cardboard cut-outs get away with saying nothing whatsoever while sustaining the imperial program of endless war and corporate rapine.

That critique is what I want to hear more of, and lots of it.  Gravel, give me hope in America again.

And be careful you don't get "Wellstoned" or "Deaned."  You'll be called a "kook" or - the worst epithet of all - "unelectable."  But you stick to your guns.  America is hungry for your message.

right on....

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by Richard Welser

great comment by stonefruit...... same sentiment from me.

bravo

Submitted on April 27th, 2007 by patricksean

just watched the debate from s.c. on youtube.com. Sen Gravel, your brutal and cutting honesty was refreshing to say the least.

 it's funny, even on youtube one the most cynical webcam responder to the debates gave you the best marks. He said you were the most "human" and I agree (he called you a kook too, but i don't necessarily think that's a bad thing - being "kooky" today means telling the plain truth i guess).

 i liked reading your webpage, if you look at clinton's or obama's page they are big on style and 'politics as usual' - but their websites don't have near as much substance as your website! you lay out your plans - amen! as a Democrat, and moreover as a voter, I just want the endgame! i want to know where people stand on the issues for goodness sakes. i want to know their real vision, instead of some watered down jumble for pc soundbites.

i like your idea of a radically more participative government! Like one of the other bloggers said, your idea with 'fair taxes' seems perhaps a bit too different to absorb right away.

Debate

Submitted on April 27th, 2007 by Next President

Mr.Gravel,

At last there is one man who understands the world affairs the way it should be understood. Good comment when you told Obama that these embargoes (Iran)never work. America could use your experience, knowledge and wisdom and may make you the next President. I love our candid answers. May god bless you.

For more information on Mr.Gravel, also visit, www.2008uspresident.com

NP

Speaking Truth

Submitted on April 27th, 2007 by DocFox

What a rare treat to hear a candidate speak the truth with passion! I just can't even remember the last time I saw that.

Never heard of Mike before last night, but boy did he get my attention.

Bravo!!!

Let's all email MSNBC and CNN (I have already) and make sure he gets more air time.

I'm going to go contribute now. I haven't given moeny to anyone else yet, but last night's dose of reality check is worth money to me.

Stay angry.

Submitted on April 27th, 2007 by pimpthistownvot...
Wow. I'm campaigning Gravel, changing from Obama. You made him sound like Uncle Tom for the warhawks. Sock it to 'em, baby! America, GET REAL.

Gravel/Paul '08?

Submitted on April 27th, 2007 by bizcrasty
The first republican/democrat ticket? It doesn't matter which one is president and vice president, they would be a true bi-partisan ticket and probably highly unprecedented......I think many Americans are looking for something like this......an obvious effort for both sides to work together not just rhetoric.

Just putting it out there

Crasty

Good thought

Submitted on April 27th, 2007 by Next President

It's time people with knowledge and experience like Gravel rule our nation. If Gravel comes to power we can prevent theocracy from taking over America.

He totally dominated Obama. After all Obama's age is Gravel's experience in politics.

NP

Mike ROCKED the debate

Submitted on April 27th, 2007 by freejung

I had never heard of Sen. Gravel before last night's debate. After the "America has no important enemies" line, I said "who the hell is this dude?" and looked him up. Apparently, a lot of people had the same thought at the same time, because this website failed to respond due to a "too many requests" error. Wonderful! (And you should consider upgrading your SQL server.)

I found it extremely refreshing to hear a candidate who not only takes a novel and extremely insightful position, but has the courage and clarity of thought to state that position clearly and unambiguously, and to confront his opponents so directly about it. I loved the "cantankerous elder statesman" air. I thought he made several great points.

Well done!

I was also very impressed with Mike's record. I like his stand on the issues (though I'm a little worried about a sales tax being potentially regressive, and Congress would never pass it anyway).

Perhaps Mike is right about getting too angry. But on the other hand, that could be an advantage. A lot of people are angry about the way things are going and would like to see that anger represented. That said, I think you have to temper your anger with compassion and understanding if you want to appeal to a liberal audience.

Anyway, I'm definitely interested. I've always been a strong supporter of Dennis Kucinich, but I really liked the directness of Mike's style. Keep it up mike, and don't soften up the tone too much!

All distinctions are arbitrary.

It's about time.....

Submitted on April 27th, 2007 by jenniferskelton
...for someone like Mike.  I saw the debate last night & I can honestly say I wasn't even sure who/what Mike was about before that.  Now, I am 100% interested.  After watching Mike on the debate & researching information on what he stands for & believes in, count me in as a supporter!  Thank goodness for someone who has the nerve to stand up for himself & what he believes in! 

Re: The View from an Ohio Military Family

Submitted on April 28th, 2007 by Prissy

Senator I met you at Camp Democracy and you were a wonderful speaker. But this latest debate really put you out there and let me tell you, the response here in Ohio was really something.

Friends called me who love some other certain candidate thought you were great! I told them more about your platform and they all want to hear more.

 

Remember, as goes Ohio goes the nation. We can explain to you how Bush won the previous elections too...

PS We want you to come to an event May 27th for our troops and will contact your folks regarding this.

 

Prissy