Official Statement on the Exclusion of Mike Gravel from the Sept. 20 AARP Forum in Iowa

September 17th, 2007 by jpeters

Mike Gravel strongly disagrees with the AARP's decision to exclude him from its Presidential Debate in Iowa on September 20. The basis for AARP's decision was a set of criteria that included "one paid campaign staff representative" in Iowa and "a campaign office inside the State of Iowa." Senator Gravel considers these requirements arbitrary. The Gravel for President Campaign is proud of its Iowa operations, fueled entirely by unpaid volunteers who have donated office space. The fact that the Senator's supporters in Iowa are not paid is a testament to the resonance of his message and should not be the basis for excluding him from any forum or event.

No other organization that sponsored a presidential debate or forum demanded AARP's requirements. The NAACP, MoveOn.org, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, and several other media organizations and activist groups have invited the Senator to their presidential debates and set no criteria regarding the inner-workings of his campaign operations.

Senator Gravel would like to thank all his supporters in Iowa who are working every day to spread his message. He knows they will not be discouraged by the AARP's unjust decision.

Thank you.

Comments

AARP Debate

Submitted on September 20th, 2007 by petera1
 Maybe someone with much more computer  knowledge than i could tape Mike answering the questions posed at the debate and make it stream live. That way he will be able to answer all questions and take the time needed to express his views. Maybe Mike watching debate with supporters in their home. Just a thought. And only if the AARP doesn't come to their senses.