Mike Gravel is joining the Libertarian Party and intends to pursue its presidential nomination. by George Dance
(libertarian)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Former Sen. Mike Gravel, the third candidate left standing in the Democratic race for President, announced Mar. 26 that he is joining the Libertarian Party and intends to pursue its presidential nomination.
In a message posted earler today on his campaign website, http://www.gravel2008.us, Gravel told supporters:
The fact is, the Democratic Party today is no longer the party of FDR. It is a party that continues to sustain war, the military-industrial complex and imperialism -- all of which I find anathema to my views.
By and large, I have been repeatedly marginalized in both national debates and in media exposure by the Democratic leadership, which works in tandem with the corporate interests that control what we read and hear in the media.
I look forward to advancing my presidential candidacy within the Libertarian Party, which is considerably closer to my values, my foreign policy views and my domestic views.
Gravel, 77, served two terms as Senator for Alaska. He is best known for his role in release of the Pentagon Papers, for a six-month filibuster in 1971 that ended the military draft, and for winning Senate approval of the Trans-Alaska pipeline.
His 2008 campaign is similar to that of Republican candidate Ron Paul -- so much so that he has been called "the other Ron Paul." He opposes both the War in Iraq and the War on Drugs. He opposes torture, indefinite commitment, the Military Commissions Act, and the prison camp at Guantanamo. He has called for abolition of the federal income tax and the Internal Revenue Service (though he wants to replace both with a "Fair Tax," a position more successfully popularized by Republican Mike Huckabee).
Former Rep. Bob Barr, who switched parties from Republican to Libertarian in 2006, welcomed Gravel's decision in a statement on the LP website:
Just as Senator Gravel believes Democrats have lost touch with the American public, I too concluded Republicans had lost their core principles, and could no longer associate myself with the GOP. While coming from opposite sides of the aisle, Senator Gravel and I definitely agree on the fundamental need for systemic change in our political system, and that the only way we have of effecting that change is by supporting and working in the Libertarian Party, which is the only political party in America that consistently works in word and deed to maximize individual liberty and minimize government power.
Libertarian Party National Media Coordinator Andrew Davis cofirmed that Gravel is qualified to be a candidate as soon as he formally joins; but added, "Whether or not some of our delegates will accept Mike Gravel with some of his positions, that has yet to be seen." Noting that many of Gravel's positions are essentially Libertarian, Davis noted that others - his advocacy of universal health care, a national sales tax, increased federal spending on education - are inconsistent with the Libertarian platform.
"He has some libertarian inclinations, but there's still a lot of issues that he doesn't fall into step that perfectly with the platform on," Davis said. "We're hoping once he can become acquainted and see what the party's all about, he can adjust his views."
15 candidates are seeking the Libertarian nomination, to be decided at the May-22-26 convention in Denver.
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If the US wasn't dumping trillions into a war that should not have been started, universal health care could have been funded.
There is a gap between what the market can provide and what the poorest can afford. If this war keeps going on, we're going to see a draft again. At least Gravel will fight to keep that from happening.
The LP ought to be thankful that they have at least a candidate with some name recognition, although may not be a purist.
I don't agree 100% with Ron Paul, but he was the closest Republican to my views. Mike Gravel was the closest Democrat. It's going to take younger politicans, both conservative and liberal, to move this country back towards the constitution and respect for the individual.
I might actually have someone to vote for this fall. Hmm.
It would be nice if this could in some way trigger a landslide of disaffected politicians to join the LP; Paul, Kucinich, and as many others who are true believers in liberty as possible. If enough joined at once, all stating that the Democrats and Republicans both have lost thier principles and integrity it might just spark something even wider that might just trigger both a break down in the two party system, and a resurgence in the ideals of liberty.
I somewhat understand why Gravel sided with the Libertarian party but I think he would be a better fit in the Green party.  However I must concede that I do not know much about his ideas. However superficially it seems that the Dems are the corporate socialist party and the Greens more of an individual socialist party so it seems rational that a socialist would move from one socialist party to another.
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2008-03-27 17:52:36
Ha, ha, ha. Gravel a Libertarian? More proof that words don't have meanings anymore. When did the LP adopt the pro-world government stance that Gravel wants? When did the LP adopt a taste for government education as in the universal kindergarten program Gravel advocates.
This is the most ridiculous announcement I've heard this year. Even more ridiculous is the fact that there are some people who sign up for the LP who would actually support this guy. They don't have a clue what a libertarian is. Maybe Kucinich would join him as VP then the LP party could add thought police via hate crime legislation to their new platform. Why not? It seems that standing on principle is left to Ron Paul alone these days.
censoredagain: I read one story that Gravel is going to pursue the Green nomination as well (which I found a bit far-fetched, since he's endorsed another candidate). It does look like Gravel wants to try the 'fusionist' strategy that some are urging on both Ron Paul and Bob Barr; but instead of a rightish fusion of Republicans, Libertarians, and Constitutionalists, a leftish one of Democrats, Libertarians, and Greens.Â
 Jahfre: Andrew Davis put it a bit more tactfully - "there's still a lot of issues that [Gravel] doesn't fall into step that perfectly with the platform on" - but he made essentially the same point. Unfortunately, unless Gravel has "a lot of change-of-heart," I can't see him getting the LP nomination or even coming close. I think a lot of Libertarians would support a 'fusionist' ticket right now, but Gravel isn't the guy and his isn't the strategy. Unfortunately, because I don't want to see him embarrassed and I'm afraid that might be the outcome.
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