Gravel Supporter Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is

The following piece is produced by the Huffington Post's OffTheBus.


Jon Kraus contributed reporting to this article.

Snow Pond, NH -

About two weeks ago, a supporter of Sen. Mike Gravel purchased a full page advertisement in the Concord Monitor. The ad likened Gravel to New England's favorite, and currently dominant, sports teams:

"The Red Sox and Patriots used to be underdogs, too."

It was a very simple ad, composed of little more than a metaphor and a plea for voters to "root for" Mike Gravel. The man behind that ad, Gregory Chase, just decided to up the ante a whole lot. Today he is putting more than $1,025,000 of his own money on the line for the cause of a low-polling, financially-floundering former Senator from the wilds of Alaska. That's right, Million with an "M".

Mr. Chase is a Harvard-educated hedge fund manager and a New Hampshire resident. He is also a newcomer to political activism, but he is entering the game with a bang. Upon hearing the news that Gravel was being excluded from October 30th's DNC/NBC debate, Chase decided that he needed to do something about it.

He called NBC to find out why the decision was made. NBC pointed Chase to Drexel University, where the debate is to be held. So he called Drexel, who said to call the DNC. Then the DNC told him to ask NBC. No one could shed light on the actual criteria for why Gravel was not allowed in the debate. Ultimately Chase felt that it was "pretty clear" that it was NBC's decision.

So what does the young multimillionaire with a newfound political will and a heartfelt cause to celebrate do about it? He contacts NBC and tells them that if money is an issue, he would be willing to pony up the dough himself. Today Chase sent this letter to five executives at NBC, DNC chairman Howard Dean, the President of Drexel University, and also published it as an advertisement in four newspapers. In it, he said this:

If it would help get Senator Gravel back into the debate, I offer to purchase $1 million of advertising from NBC, or simply pay NBC $1 million in exchange for the service of allowing Senator Gravel to participate in your debate.

Chase wasn't even done yet. Well aware that the NBC stunt might not pan out, or that it might smack of pay for play, he simultaneously posted a more populist video on youtube offering a $25,000 prize for the Mike Gravel-related video that receives the most views between now and December 31, 2007. In the youtube video, the entire wad of cash can be clearly seen sitting atop a couple of newspaper advertisements also supporting Sen. Gravel. Here in the upper Granite State, north of Concord, that is what you might call cash on the barrelhead.

Those newspaper ads, by the way, are more than just a one-trick pony. Chase has purchased advertising space in the three major New Hampshire newspapers, the Monitor, the Manchester Union Leader and the Nashua Telegraph every single day between now and the end of the year. These ads are all entirely funded by Mr. Chase, they are not connected to the campaign, and touch on issues ranging from decreasing military spending to repealing the Federal Income Tax in favor of a national sales tax and imposing a carbon tax. There is even one advocating lowering the drinking age to 18, the same age at which one can join the military. All of them match Sen. Gravel's positions and hint at Mr. Chase's passion.

Having worked as an oil trader for Morgan Stanley before recently moving to the hedge fund business, Chase is no stranger to the role of money and oil in the upper ranks of our economy. The idea that Gravel might be excluded from a debate because of a lack of money raised a major red flag.

"It strikes me as so incorrect. Some of the things about earning money are great," Chase remarked, "but sometimes money can play into people's perception of themselves or others in ways I don't like. To think that a prerequisite to being a politician or President is to know people who have money in the bank is very unfortunate. It is completely bogus to cite how much money he has, and it gets my blood boiling to think that's how our political system is working."

Chase also lamented Gravel's financial disadvantage as a non-incumbent. "Gravel needs a little push.
I would imagine it is a whole lot easier for the others to make a few phone calls" to build up the campaign coffers. "But," he said, "that's not what his campaign is about."

Gravel's name recognition problem, as well as his candor, are big part of the justification Chase gives for his monetary support of the Senator.

"He used to have a pretty big name, but he doesn't now even though he has been a multi-term senator. I think that should count for something. And he's got the guts to criticize other candidates."

By that logic, it only seems fair that a millionaire like Chase should try to help make up the difference, whether by offering to buy his debate ticket or flying the flag every day in the newspapers. After all, it was a haphazard glimpse of Gravel at an earlier debate that got him interested in the first place.

Chase calls himself an Independent and also likes some of the things that Ron Paul is saying. His first foray into politics was simply voting in 2004. A young man in his late 20s, he wonders whether this new enthusiasm is a matter of going through a normal process of political awakening, or something different, something bigger.

"Maybe I just don't like the way things are, or maybe this is a unique time. This country is headed in a direction that's not so appropriate and not so great. It causes me a lot of anxiety."

As for Gravel, "I just saw him at the debate and realized that [with the other candidates] we are choosing between republic and empire. Senator Gravel understands that it and makes me have a great deal of respect for him."

For a million plus, that is some respect.

Jose Rodriguez, a Gravel staffer, said of the NBC offer, "We are aware of it. We don't know if it is legal or if it is legitimate. Somebody here is trying to get to the bottom of it."

But more to the point he said, "It shows a lot by the actions of our supporters who are willing to put up quite a bit of money and raise a lot of hell."

For sure.

As for the legality of the issue, Chase said that he had spoken with an election lawyer who advised him to make dependent expenditures on behalf of Gravel, where his name would have to be attached to any advertisements he made, along with a notation that it was not involved with the campaign. Furthermore, Chase mentioned that he has never met Gravel, and for that matter has never been to a political rally in New Hampshire. At first Chase was reluctant to release his name, but then he realized, "Hey, this is what I believe. Why would I mind putting my name on it?"

"I've stopped working on the day to day operations of my hedge fund right now because I'm focused pretty much full time on trying to get Sen. Gravel's name out. He is polling low, he is a longshot, but it is critically important that he get his ideas out. A lot of people will support Gravel and his ideas once they learn about them."

As for Chase's million dollars?

"We could put it in a fireplace and burn it for all I care, as long as he gets in the debate."

Jon Kraus also contributed reporting to this piece.

Comments

[bluesky49876]

Folks, what you on display is the American style democracy which is controlled by big money. No wonder we want to export it to all other places so that big moneyed interest can politicians and governments. The real democracy is not accepted here, only the kind that allows big money.

[MBFLA]

Thank you, Mr Chase! And thank you, Senator Gravel for always speaking truth to power!
Please sign the petition to NBC/GE demanding that Senator Mike Gravel be allowed into the debate!

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/letgravelspeakoct30

[MBFLA]

Thank you for once again for giving Mike Gravel the opportunity to tell truth to power!

See you in Orlando tomorrow, Mike!

[gcallaghan]

The moral of this story?


A fool and his money are soon parted.

[VivaZapata]

let's put a price on the truth. what's it worth to ya, kid? ya think a dollar, a hundred, a thousand, a million?

[GenericBlogger]

This rich supporter could spread his message in cheaper ways. His money would have been better spent on charity than media advertising.

Gravel's supporters will disagree but the wisdom of supporting a candidate with such a low probability of winning is highly questionable.

[PeaceCzar]

I'd rather bet on a candidate with real integrity than a derivative compromise.

Plus, the energy and lessons learned from supporting a REAL message will be carried with all his supporters through their lives.

I quote a Kucinich motto:

"Only he who attempts the absurd is capable of achieving the impossible."

AND, this guy is paying for NH advertisements, literature, and signs through the primary. I'd call that getting the message out, wouldn't you? We just need more mavericks and patriots who truly extend themselves for a cause.

[Thurber]

Yeah, it's much smarter to support Sen. Clinton.

She's sure to erase any hint of difference between the two parties on warmongering, bloated-be­yond-reaso­n big government (a wholly owned subsidiary of even bigger corporations), and the continued rape of our health care system by shady insurance companies and HMO’s.

Then we can all sit back and watch our entire country unravel under a one party system, just like the old USSR. Or, you can try to support a candidate whom you think is actually principled and willing to tell the truth BEFORE THE ELECTION.

[Nutroute]

God Bless this Man, Gregory Chase.
Like one commenter said with that One Million, Chase may save this great country.
I saw Sen. Gravel at a fund raiser in NYC Oct-23 (Tuesday). Senator Gravel is such a natural. None of that confusing and ultimately nothing said, political talk.
Only Mike has the guts and the genuine desire to bring sanity to the world.
Thanks Chase ! You have that special American Spirit !!!

[whatsreallygoingonhere]

THANK YOU Gregory Chase!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Now here's a guy that hasn't let his money go to his head. He's using it to bring some fairness back into these elections. We need free and fair elections.

Gravel has a lot of good points and I find Gravel and Kucinich important to these debates. They're doing what they know is right and they're not backing down. Gravel and Kucinich are refreshing and their voices should not be silenced because they don't have enough money 'to play'.

Thank you again Gregory Chase! Good on you!

[VivaZapata]

Did NBC bump Gravel because he confronted Shillary Clinton about her vote to authorize Bush to confront Iran? What's all this talk about World War III? Is shill-for-Chaney trying to scare the Russians? What's in the White House water?

[dglow]

I agree. NBC has no right to exclude any candidate from the debates. Nor does Hillary Clinton, the next corporate shill. I met with Mike Gravel last night at a fundraiser in Michigan. He was articulate, down to earth, and a true man of the people. He has innovative ideas to give more power to the people. His national initiative is just one of them. Email NBC and demand that Mike be included on Tuesday's debate. As a U.S. senator, Mike took on the establishment and exposed the lies of the Vietnam war mongers. He's a true patriot and would make a great president.

[CanadianinCleveland]

Excellent! This is the kind of story I like to wake up to and read with my morning coffee!
What a bold and encouraging gesture.
We need more people like Greogry Chase who are not afraid of supporting candidates with fresh ideas...
It is SO important to have someone like Senator Mike Gravel included in all the debates to encourage positive thought and nuture change. Mr. Gravel has made the decision to enter this race and try to promote change and his voice NEEDS to be heard.
Congratulations to you both...

[kakm]

My hats off to Mike's ideologies and integrity. I wish I had the bucks to send them, but alas, I can't seem to crawl my way to the poverty line. I've raised my children. Have 10 beautiful grandchildren, and by the grace of God, a very handsome great-grandson. I was a Marine Corp brat,my ,mom baked cakes on the Marine Corp's birthday(November 10th), my nephew is a Marine, I pray for the peacemakers,fly the Flag, and VOTE. Thank you for helping Mike get into the debates. Let's give them a run for their money.

[Witchitalineman]

Mike Gravel calls it like it is. Good for him and shame on anyone calling him out of date because of age.

[jasonbaez]

Mr. Chase should check out Dennis Kucinich. I think that he would find Mr. Kucinich to be on an equal level as Mr. Gravel on integrity but more progressive and dialed-in. No offense Mr. Gravel.

[pangardenguru]

I like Mike Gravel very much. He's an old fashioned kind of guy, the kind we need, who is not so eaten up with political correctness that he can't turn around. Unfortunately polititians today are plastic, artificial. Gravel would be a great president and would get the job done. So would Kusinich. Again, just because he is not tall or have a dynamic (loud) presence he wont have a chance but he has more sense than all the rest of them and would also make a great leader. We will get more of the same though.....sold out, worthless polititians are the name of the game these days.

[VivaZapata]

Gravel was bounced from the debate because he had the temerity to address Hillary directly about her vote to support Bush on Iran. Do I know for sure? No, but if it walks like a duck...(you know the rest). Hillary must win the democratic nomination so that the republicans can win the election. The Clinton-Lieberman ticket cannot win, but if it did, would we notice any significant change from what we've got?

[paixa3]

zip, zilch, nada.....valid point.

[Rainman]

God bless Chase....go Gravel go.

NBC is one of my favorite alternatives to Jon Stewart's Daily show.

As alternative media, NBC sure is funny and entertaining, unfortunately without Gravel they might just lose that edge and my interest.

Looking forward to watching NBC to be entertained. The best alternative media in town.

[FidgetyFeet]

Thanks Greg. Your one million dollars just might save this nation.