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Mike Gravel To Seek Libertarian Nomination For President

Posted March 26, 2008 | 09:23 AM (EST)

Read More: Mike Gravel, Mike Gravel Democratic Nomination, Mike Gravel Democratic Race, Mike Gravel Leaves Democratic Party, Mike Gravel Libertarian, Mike Gravel Libertarian Nomination, Mike Gravel Libertarian Party, Breaking Off The Bus News

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Former Senator Mike Gravel (D-Alaska) informed supporters Wednesday morning via email that he intends to leave the Democratic Party and seek the Libertarian nomination for president.

Today, I am announcing my plan to join the Libertarian Party, because the Democratic Party no longer represents my vision for our great country. I wanted my supporters to get this news first, because you have been the ones who have kept my campaign alive since I first declared my candidacy on April 17, 2006.

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.

The email concluded with an appeal for money.

The Libertarian Party's values are often considered at odds with those of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Democratic Party, a hallmark of which was vast expansion of federally supported social assistance programs.

The full email follows at the end of this post.

Read more about the Libertarian Party here, or visit their website by clicking here.

Visit Mike Gravel's website here.

OffTheBus contributor Melissa Hapke contributed to this article.

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collapse comebackid See Profile I'm a Fan of comebackid

He would put an end to this corrupt, unconstitutional, corporate puchased, and failed war on drugs.

Huffpo hasn't said a word about it but the MSM is reporting that thousands of guns including automatic weapons and laptop computers are going missing at the DEA.

Why do they need a billion dollars a year for PR and propaganda?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:43 PM on 03/30/2008
collapse yareallygotmegoin See Profile I'm a Fan of yareallygotmegoin

Him and kucinich would make a great ticket. LP might be the wrong nomenclature.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:37 PM on 03/27/2008
collapse NetWeasel See Profile I'm a Fan of NetWeasel

For those who have been complaining that it is time for a third party to rise up, I ask you to consider the Libertarian Party. The basic principals can be summed up in three simple words:

Minimum.

Necessary.

Government.

Where the arguments lie are with the DEFINITIONS of minimum, necessary and government.

I suggest that a good starting definition of "minimum, necessary government" would be "provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity." Sound familiar??

Quite a broad definition, ain't it?

With plenty of room for progressives.

I commend Senator Gravel for his choice of party switch, and fervently hope that it is not just a try for unwarranted attention or a desire to be a "spoiler."

If enough progressives with Libertarian leanings were to join the Libertarian Party, we could edge the Party away from the image of being "Republicans who want to smoke pot" to "people who want to take our country back from the Corporations."

All I'm asking is for each of you to take a look at your local Libertarian Party organization, and see if there is enough room for progressives and progressive ideas under that particular tent.

It can't hurt to look.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:28 AM on 03/27/2008
collapse conservativeoriginalist See Profile I'm a Fan of conservativeoriginalist

If self-anointed "progressives" want to join a third party, you've got the green, workers', and socialist parties. Don't corrupt the LP with your welfare state ideology, please.

As far as the stupid characterization being kicked around, the LP is a hell of a lot deeper than "Republicans who want to smoke pot". Many of the newer members are of the Barry Goldwater mold who have been disenfranchised by the Republican neocons, ie the true conservatives, those who truly want a secured border, a limited government (which includes a minuscule welfare state), almost non-existent foreign interventionism, sound currency, fair trade, fair taxation, and true capitalism (if you think we have capitalism, I have a bridge to sell you).

You don't have to peak into the Libertarian tent, I can tell you right now there's almost no room for "progressive" ideas.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:23 AM on 03/27/2008
collapse nativist See Profile I'm a Fan of nativist

You don't have to peak into the Libertarian tent, I can tell you right now there's almost no room for "progressive" ideas.

That's a shame. We need a party that accurately reflects the will and desires of American citizens. The majority of folks want single payer healthcare. Conservatives regard that as a "nanny state" idea. Seventy percent of the public doesn't agree. An overwhelming amount of people want out of Iraq, like, today. No representation there either. Nearly everone is aware of the damage caused by "free trade", hordes of illegals flooding the country, outsourcing and other damaging policies. Yet, both parties putter right along, to the delight of the US Chamber of Commerce.

Maybe my comments are progressive. They might even be socialist. But only the Libertarian Party has a large enough presence to mount a challenge to the entrenched two party system.

Libertarians aren't much for foreign wars. Neither are progressives. Aha, common ground. Libertarians are for limited gov't. In the wake of all the poisoned food and toys coming out of China, the subprime scandal et all, I think the Libs need to turn the page on that one.

Please don't brand us populist/ socialists as an anathema to Libertarianism. I think a combining of the disaffected could become a force in replacing the current generation of do nothing leadership.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:59 AM on 04/02/2008
collapse Levarg2008 See Profile I'm a Fan of Levarg2008

Hillary's a Hack...

and Buh-Rack is Whack!

Vote Mike Gravel for President-2008!!!!!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:12 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse jcephrie See Profile I'm a Fan of jcephrie

I wish he had made this choice earlier and gone to the Greens, he certainly had the best environmental platform of all the Democrats who ran (and are running). I don't know much about the Libertarians, but if they are as hardcore as Ron Paul (before he admitted he wouldn't mind funding programs so long as the money was accounted for - particularly if it came from scaling back our military budget), I don't think the Libertarians are the right place for Gravel. Needless to say if he gets it and Obama (there is no chance I'll vote for Clinton) has a healthy looking lead over McCain in my state I'll be voting for Gravel.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:47 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse mrqapla See Profile I'm a Fan of mrqapla

Mike Gravel has my vote.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:46 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse protagonia See Profile I'm a Fan of protagonia

The trolls are afraid of him. Good sign.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:23 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse rpence See Profile I'm a Fan of rpence

If Clinton steals the nomination from Obama, Gravel would be a fine alternative. He may be a little discombobulated, but he's a true left-wing progressive. I liked plenty of what he said in the debates.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:00 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse PrdAmerican See Profile I'm a Fan of PrdAmerican

I agree....the two party system is outdated and merely there to sustain the status quo. I really like Gravel and I think he was hampered by the DNC/RNC loving media that has done its utmost to skew the election and keep the mudslinging between HRC and BO in full swing.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:10 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse cognate See Profile I'm a Fan of cognate

Ron Paul and Mike Gravel.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:48 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse conservativeoriginalist See Profile I'm a Fan of conservativeoriginalist

Self-proclaimed FDR Democrat joining the Libertarian Party? The two are ideological polar opposites. Sorry Mr. Gravel, but your big government statism and voting record won't fare well with the libertarian power base. You'll probably get lower percentages in the Libertarian primaries than you did in the Democrat primary.

Why not try the socialist or communist parties? They're more attuned to your beliefs.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:05 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse TheInsomniac See Profile I'm a Fan of TheInsomniac

Communism is a far cry from what Gravel is advocating. In fact, the closest thing we have to communism is the fascist government currently in charge - the only difference is that all the wealth goes to a very small number of people instead of all of the people. More like Soviet communism.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:57 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse conservativeoriginalist See Profile I'm a Fan of conservativeoriginalist

What's the difference between what the Soviets implemented and the FDR Democrats advocate? Gun control, redistribution of wealth, centralized economy, government empowerment, higher taxation, rigged elections, speech/thought regulation (commonly referred to as political correctness in this country), advocating for the lower class (in rhetoric only), military-enforced expansionism, arbitrary and subjective interpretation of law...where's the differences?

Don't get me wrong, the PNAC Republicans aren't better in any of those regards, they're just another side of the same coin, but to suggest that the FDR Democrats are ideologically closer to libertarians than Soviets is ridiculous in and of itself.

As far as wealth hoarding, that went on just as well under fascist/communist governments. It is the way of all human organization.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:52 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse aquarius2001 See Profile I'm a Fan of aquarius2001

Well..give it up for our 2009 President...John McCain!! With Nader and Gravel squandering the votes from the Dems with their measley 3-4% of the vote, McCain is a sure win now!

I just don't get why Nader and Gravel do this...why would anyone waste their money donating to their campaigns when they don't have a shot in hell winning?? It's pointless, and just serves to drain votes from the Dem and Repub parties.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:00 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse conservativeoriginalist See Profile I'm a Fan of conservativeoriginalist

Its more pointless to keep voting for the same people over and over than to try to establish more national parties. With the duopoly of Democrats and Republicans, the media spoon feeds our candidates by anointing them as "front runners" and giving them unrestricted free advertising via wall-to-wall coverage while ignoring the other candidates all together, sometimes even publicly ridiculing them as was the case with Chris Wallace and Ron Paul at the first FoxNews "debate".

Its about time we abandon the two-party system and start supporting new upstarts. Stop being told what to believe and vote for and exercise, even demand, a choice of better candidates and platforms instead of subjecting yourself to holding your nose while voting for either one of the crappy candidates the Democrats and Republicans give us every election cycle.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:15 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse giachi See Profile I'm a Fan of giachi

agree

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:03 PM on 03/27/2008
collapse driven989 See Profile I'm a Fan of driven989

You are 100% correct!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:59 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse Grannysue See Profile I'm a Fan of Grannysue

I hear McCain's looking for a VP, how about this "Vote for us, we've already lost our minds".

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:39 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse PublicAdvisor See Profile I'm a Fan of PublicAdvisor

Kudos to Mike for being a heroic and independent voice of reason and truth teller in a field largely dominated by corporate candidates who exercise self-censorship to appease the lobbyists and PACs.

Both Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinch exclusion from the Democratic debates was not only unfair to these Democratic candidates, but also to the voters who wanted to hear different perspectives within the party and make up their own mind. The decision by the Democratic leadership to selectively censor its own registered Democratic candidates will ultimately hurt the Democratic Party in the future. Excluding disagreements rebuffs voters and leaves them unsatisfied and with no voice for genuine change. So what do those voters do? Many of them leave the party. Who can blame them?

More voices and more choices are always welcome in our democracy. We should never cower from disagreement or squelch the legitimate concerns of voters or marginalize candidates because they don't neatly fit into the status quo political parties. Free,vigorous, open debates are integral to any democracy worthy of name. History has frequently demonstrated that willfull suppression of peoples fundamental human freedoms to choose their destiny ends not in peaceful compliance and eternal repression but revolution.

Fortunately voters can read, consider and make up their own minds:
Mike's website: http://www.gravel2008.us/

Ralph's website: http://www.votenader.org

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:39 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse Gatormouth See Profile I'm a Fan of Gatormouth

Mike, I love you and love your politics - don't do it. Seeking perfection at this time, politically, is tantamount to suicide. We are talking about the survival of the constitution. Help us, don't help those who would enslave us. Please.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:15 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse TexasDem0 See Profile I'm a Fan of TexasDem0

All this will do is drain votes away from the Democrats and make it easier for the Republicans to perpetrate yet another colossal election fraud.. Senator Gravel is in denial. He wasn"t taken seriously because he isn"t a serious candidate.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:49 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse dailyrev See Profile I'm a Fan of dailyrev

It's pretty sad that a fellow with that much to offer -- so much more than Clintama -- is so brutally marginalized in this culture. Yet if McCain is allowed to bring us four more years of Bush, then this entire nation will be marginalized in the completion of a stark act of fate -- the slide of America into a tin-pot state, a second-rate despotism exactly in the manner of Saddam's Iraq.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:46 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse conservativeoriginalist See Profile I'm a Fan of conservativeoriginalist

Do you honestly believe that Clinton or Obama are going to be any better than McCain or Bush? They all feed at the same trough of special interests. This "my party good, your party bad" game is nothing more than a ruse, a red herring to keep the party loyalists fighting amongst each other while the puppeteers continue to pillage what little remains in the Treasury.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:07 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse nuglet304 See Profile I'm a Fan of nuglet304

the libertarians are the fastest growing party in the country...and i expect their numbers'll grow considerably after this fall. i'm flirting with the idea myself. the biggest downside is the lack of viable candidates.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:23 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse conservativeoriginalist See Profile I'm a Fan of conservativeoriginalist

The only reason the LP seems to lack "viable candidates" is because most of the sheeple are more concerned with their team in the political duopoly winning than having a principled stance. If Americans were as bright and objective as many would like to think, we'd have 10 national parties in Congress, all calling each other out on corruption on a regular basis, all watching each other's every step to ensure integrity across the board, plus we voters would have more than the MSM's spoon fed "front runners" to choose from.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:54 PM on 03/26/2008
collapse Wilbur See Profile I'm a Fan of Wilbur

ALL of his supporters? What's that, two or three?

Wilbur

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:10 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse foolchild0 See Profile I'm a Fan of foolchild0

Cheers, Mike- good to see you hanging in there. The Libertarians are a great choice!

Gravel '08!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:07 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse kasv See Profile I'm a Fan of kasv

Aaaah, someone to vote for if Clinton is the nominee.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:00 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse RyanK111 See Profile I'm a Fan of RyanK111

amen.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:34 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse popozuda See Profile I'm a Fan of popozuda

Damn straight. Gravel is a truth dealer of the harshest order. Unfortunately truth like Gravel delivers is highly unwelcome in DC.

Give Em' Hell Gravel-Guts '08

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:32 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse chombo See Profile I'm a Fan of chombo

And the race for last place between Nader and Gravel is joined.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:57 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse MajorKong See Profile I'm a Fan of MajorKong

A Libertarian is just a Republican that wants to smoke pot.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:44 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse popozuda See Profile I'm a Fan of popozuda

LOL!!!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:33 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse PeaceCzar See Profile I'm a Fan of PeaceCzar

That's beyond intelligent. You really thought that one through.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:02 AM on 03/26/2008
collapse johnnydajogger See Profile I'm a Fan of johnnydajogger

Good move Mike. The corporations, media, and the pols have this thing all predesigned and you were never part of that design. Now you will likely be on the ballot where I can vote for you.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:31 AM on 03/26/2008
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