Why NBC and the DNC Want Me Out of the Debates
In the past year, I have attended 11 national Democratic debates of which two were sponsored by corporate media giant NBC. However, last week, the network suddenly conjured up arbitrary polling and fundraising requirements specifically designed to exclude me. None of the previous debates I attended held such requirements.
When my staff called NBC directly to find out why I was now barred from attending, Chuck Todd, NBC news' political director, told us that there were three criteria we did not meet, namely that I had not campaigned in New Hampshire and/or Iowa at least 14 times in the past year, that I was not polling at 5% and that I hadn't raised $1 million.
It is abundantly clear that NBC just wants me out of the race. This was made evident by the fact that NBC did not even inform me of its arbitrary criteria before making the decision to stifle my campaign. NBC's Todd waited until 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, to inform my staff that I was not invited to the Oct. 30 debate at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Since I announced my candidacy for the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States on April 17, 2006, I have certainly traveled to New Hampshire and Iowa at least 14 times. And, according to a recent CNN poll, I am tied with Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich and Chris Dodd.
NBC claims I haven't raised enough money to qualify. I'm proud of the fact that I don't collect millions from special interests (or fugitives like Norman Hsu). The reason why Senator Hillary Clinton seems to have a fundraising scandal every month is because money has corrupted our democracy. By stifling my voice on the basis of fundraising dollars, NBC is reinforcing the power of money over our national political discussion and our freedom.
But why has NBC suddenly come up with "requirements" designed to exclude me from the debate?
NBC's decision is proof that our corporate media do not want a genuine debate over our impending war with Iran. During the last debate I was the only one to aggressively confront Senator Clinton over her vote to label the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. Had I not brought up the subject, seasoned NBC commentator Tim Russert, the moderator of the Sept. 26 debate, would not have even asked about it.
Most Americans still don't appreciate the gravity of that vote and they don't understand that our government is intentionally raising roadblocks to diplomacy. Corporate media have once again failed to investigate how Bush and a compliant congress have set us on the warpath. Instead the media simply parrots the demonization of Iranian President Ahmadinejad and the administration's unproven accusations against Iran. NBC and the other corporate media have jumped on the war bandwagon and they are determined to shut up anyone who tries to stop it.
The fact that NBC is owned by General Electric, one of the world's leading military contractors, is frightening and certainly smacks of censorship directed at the most outspoken critic of the influence that the military-industrial complex holds over this great nation. In the past decade, GE has benefited financially from the global war on terrorism and currently holds almost $2 billion in military contracts.
So I ask that anyone, who is as concerned as I am about the power of the mainstream media and the military-industrial complex, speak out in support of my campaign today. And, even if you support another candidate, surely you understand the implications of NBC's decision for our democracy and the future peace and security of our nation.
And since the powers that be now require that I raise $1 million in order to participate in the debates, please make a donation to my campaign. Unlike my fellow candidates, I am not focused on raising million of dollars; I am focused on fixing representative government. Help us reach that arbitrary threshold, and I will continue to fight for democracy and peace.
Senator Mike Gravel
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
I found Chuck Todd's email on media matters. I don't know if it's any good but I'm going to let him know what I think.
nbcuni.com@nbcuni.com
that seemed to work for me.
Also: President of Drexel university:
(Dr. Papdakis)
drexel.edurexel.edu
and their general contact:
drexel.eduexel.edu
This is exactly why we need public funding of these races!
Not corporate controlled money buying more puppets for the fascist state that the Bush family is creating.
And certainly not more corporate Media deciding for us who the best candidates are. Just as there is an equal time law for the final two candidates, there should be an inclusionary law to open up this debate which may be the most important ever for this country!
When they take away the constitution the people will be asking why and there will be no body around to give them an answer.Che
Why not send GE a NOTE today?
https://ww
tell them what you think!
STOP NBC... and GE. Boycott both!
I just e-mailed this to 40 people... please take the time to do the same!!!
If we can't get them to listen to us... let's just take away their $$.
Dear Sen. Gravel, I hope you see this as an opportunity to side-step NBC and hit them with a karate chop in passing.
You need to find another way to throw a stone in the pond so they can't ignore your message.
Kucinich should be your advocate because he's the next guy to get the axe.
The longer you're around, the longer he'll be around.
Hey Mike,
Don't let them kicking you out of the debates keep you down, they'll blame you for the election anyways.
Sincerely,
Ralph Nader
Ralph! More voices, more choices! I am so glad to see you supporting Mike Gravel's voice. He's the freshest air and we need what he brings. Listen up NBC! Hang in there Mike! Thank you Ralph!
If Mike Gravel is denied, it only proves what I been saying. The liberal democrats DO NOT practice what they preach. His 1st Amendments are being torn apart. Why have the other candidates just sat there and let it happen?
BTW, I too am a White Sox fan.
If I had a million dollars, I'd send it to you, Mike. However, I am poor... but I'd vote for you in a heart beat.
Keep up your spunk!
Let's not forget how badly GE polluted the Hudson River... for years, and then refused to clean it up. I can't imagine how many other sites have been made uninhabitable by this monster.
I have stopped buying GE products long ago because they suck!!! BUT I will now stop my entire family from buying their products.
I have agreed with just about everything I have heard from Senator Gravel since I first heard him on the CNN Youtube debate. From that time I have been telling friends and family of senator Gravel and his beliefs and nd what I have learned from hearing him, but I guess most people choose to believe this type of evil does not exist in America or thet just dont care. This country is truly in a bad state if the grassroot candidates can start to get the respect they deserve, for not being money hungry traitors
If I may be allowed to post these, here are Chuck Todd, NBC, GE site address for contact form+options, and the mail contact for the host university for the debate:
nbcuni.com@nbcuni.com
http://www
drexel.eduexel.edu
You can also look up the individual relevant (all news)NBC shows, and email each of them.
For GE may I suggest each consumer department as well as the investor section?
Let them know this is corporate & political censorship! Put Mike in the debate!!!!!
THANK YOU.
On the GE website, there are 28 subcategories of 7 company categories -- it would be a good education if you let us know how to look at these categories and name the specific ones we should write and how they affect the decision to cut Gravel.
Maybe they want you out because you're making a purposeful mockery of the process. Instead of showing that individual citizens can themselves be important, you are perpetrating the mythology that the only people that matter are those that are standing, orating to the rest of the coutrny, and pretending to be democratically elected dictators.
How about this, Mike?
Show the rest of a country what a wise person you are, and show them that you, unlike everyone else, recognize that the president is just another citizen, who has as many rights and powers as any other citizen-- more than that, show them that you don't have to stand out there, screaming and whining about not being paid attention to when running for an office you yourself have stated you doubt you'd ever win-- instead, show them that a simple, private citizen has a capacity to create great change.
Step out there, quit the damn race already, and say, I've had enough and I'm not going to take it anymore.
Fight the mainstream media by not catering to them, and their delusions of presidential grandeur.
Don't let General Electric execute Mike. Sign the petition and get him on the debate. Everyone, let NBC know what you think of their tactics and of them for doing this. If enough people sign, they may have to think a little bit more about what they are doing to a lot of consumers of their and their advertisers products.
WHAT PETITION WHERE?
I can't imagine how frustrating it all must be Mike. The tragic takeover of the Democratic party by DLC vermin makes my blood boil.
I hope you along with other fine Americans like Kucinich and Gore are looking at the Green party. Several high level "defections" properly timed could turn the 08 race upside down.
The notion that Hillery will be forced upon us by the DLC is too horrible to imagine. But we all know it will happen won't it?
Keep up the good work Mike, and please consider the Green party when the time is right.
Mike,
Don't consider the Green party. After Nader casting doubt on Gore's win in 2000, we don't need any viable Green Party candidates in national elections.
right ORSunshine
Let's just continue to eat the shit of the DLC.
Let's support corporate scum who protect Bush from all of the fine American patriots who want him impeached.
Let's keep funding the crimes in Iraq without strings.
Let's declare all Iranians as terrorists to make it easier for Cheney to invade.
Let's screw the American people on the FISA law and protect corrupt telcoms.
Let's blindly accept that Democrats are the good guys while they enable and support Bush at every turn.
Good plan ORSunshine.
Nader didn't cast doubt on Gore's win, the Supreme Court stole it from Gore. Green Mike Gravel would DEFINITELY work for me, ESPECIALLY if it's Clinton and Giuliani on the ballot.
Nader didn't cast doubt, he ran for President. It' s his right as a citizen of the United States.
And, more Democrats voted for Bush than for Nader. Where's the outcry there?
In addition there are no numbers on how many people wouldn't have bothered to vote at all if they didn't have Nader to vote for. I am sick and tired of the Media telling us what our choices are and everyone just nodding their heads, yup, yup, yup...
I predicted at the very beginning of this "election" that it was going to be played as Romney/Guilliani vs. Clinton/Obama, and the media theater machine hasn't let me down.
Take a look at http://pol
We hear day after day how we are "polarized" and Hillary is "on the Left" The Left of Far Right is just not quite so far right. Apparently that is our polarization, the really far right nut jobs and the not quite as far right nut jobs.
I used to be a Democrat until I could only vote for Moderate Republicans who called themselves Democrats. Now I'm a Green because if I don't vote I have to hear people complain about how if you don't cast a vote for the least repulsive of two unacceptable options then you can't complain.
If Mike runs as a Green I will vote for him in a heartbeat unless Kucinich gets the Democratic Blessing. Like that will happen. I can't vote for Mike in the Primary unless I change my voter registration -- and I may yet -- but I have donated money to support his effort because he and Dennis Kucinich are the only actual Democrats in the race. And that's why no one is talking about either of them. We have one party rule. It's like buying a car and only being able to choose between Chevy and Pontiac. Make some noise, we want real choices!!!
Mike-
I appreciate everything you are doing, running for president and speaking up for Americans.
Is there any chance you could blog more here about what you can do, what we can do, what will be done if we don't 'Stop & Think'?
I, for one, would read as much as you can write about everything. There is alot that people need to wake up to.
I signed the petition that Annisee posted the link to, if there is anything we can do to get you on all of the remaining debates, I hope we can do it.
But can you go ahead and tell us more here on Huffpo? I'm ready to light the campfire and toast the marshmallows and hear the scary stories..
I agree with princessofnowt -- tell us more, blog more, Mike. I want to know about your National Initiative and you never get the chance to tell us about it at the debates. I've marked you as a Favorite and get e-mail notices when you post, so I'm already looking for your blogs.
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
