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

Comments

[mattm.sf]

Mike Gravel is the only voice of hope and reason! He must be allowed to debate! With all of the censorship and wiretapping and eavesdropping and torture going on in the world, it is scarrily starting to resemble '1984'!!! Please help support Mike!

[Biddy]

By this reasoning, "we the people" can also decide to no longer purchase GE products.

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

GOOD POINT Biddy. I will NEVER purchase another GE product as long as I live... never!! Neither will my family, nor friends.

I am passing this blog onto anyone who is politically concerned.­.. and that's a lot of them these days.

Good Suggestion.

You all can also remove NBC from your channel selector..­. and contact NBC sponsors that you're not going to buy THEIR products either.

[thatvisionthing]

I can't watch Keith Olbermann? OWWWWWCH!

[Newvoter49]

This country has a unique opportunity presented to it. We have the evidence (the current administration) of what happens when corporations and the christian right wing are allowed to seize the government and run rough-shod over the constitution. Senator Gravel, along with the other 'minority' candidates, Dodd and Kucinich present us with an opportunity to change the course of the country. Hillary Clinton won't do it, nor, most likely, will Barak Obama or John Edwards.
There needs to be a grass-roots movment like none we've ever seen. Don't like what NBC is doing? Write to their advertisers and tell them you're boycotting their products, then write to NBC and told them what you did. Write to your representatives and tell them how you feel, some of them will even write back!
If the people don't take back the country and get everyone in Washington to remember who they work for, we'll once again get the government we deserve.

[tomsthumb]

We need real leadership in this country, let us get the train back on track. Thank you Mr. Gravel.

[Citizenofreality]

It's too bad but Americans no longer have an appetite for the truth. The truth isn't bland enough and it most certainly is not palatable. It is your duty as a citizen to continue speaking Senator, the mainstream media may ignore you but some of us are listening anyway.

[Annisee]

I've just signed an on-line petition about this
at

http://www.petitionspot.com/m/petitions/a/thanks/cms/44182

Don't give up Mr. Gravel - your voice is sorely needed. Whatever happens, keep writing, please!

[KnoxBlues1]

Thanks for the link, Annisee. I signed the petition for Mr. Gravel, too. America needs to hear what Mike has to say. He's got my vote.

[mattm.sf]

- actually, this is where to go to sign that petition:

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

The link you provided is the 'thank you for signing' link!!

SUPPORT MIKE GRAVEL!!

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

Annisee... the link goes to a 'confirmation page'... can you repost with the actual petitioin? I will most certainly sign it.

[thatvisionthing]

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

[fariqabdulaziz]

With the mainstream media corporate elites and their lackey candidates like Clinton attempting time and time again to ban Mike Gravel from the Democratic debates, apparently honesty and courage no longer have any place in American politics.
Mike, clearly you did the right thing in exposing Hillary's (and now Obama's) endorsement of the planned Bush war with Iran in the last debate, because it has struck an angry nerve with the military industrial complex and their NBC mouthpiece.
Don't give up the fight, Senator, you have my vote.

[craigmart]

Even when Senator Gravel is allowed to be at a debate he is ignored. Candidates like him stay low in the polls because the media, who have already decided for us who the nominees will be, are not given equal time to offer their ideas. The polls are mostly just name-recognition, no one has voted yet. I am sure that Clinton and the DNC have conspired with GE/NBC to make sure Senator Gravel is now silenced. He must pay the price for telling the truth. It's a sad day.

[thatvisionthing]

He gets the least time but makes the most of it, to me. He's the one I find myself standing up and cheering for. Blessed sanity! Blessed humanity!

[Marlyn]

LET MIKE GRAVEL SPEAK!

I know what you say is true, Mike. It makes me so sad. America is toast.

[GMoney]

Go Mike!

The American people need to hear your message exactly because it does challenge the powers-that-be. For me, there's precious little distinction left between Hillary Clinton, GE, and Dick Cheney. They all seem to be part of a system dedicated to perpetuating their own personal empowerment at the expense of ordinary Americans. That is precisely why we need your voice and leadership. This HuffPo piece is a good place to start, but keep going public with this to let everyone know how the "rules" are being rigged. Stay strong!

[jimbrauner]

Why is it I am not surprised. Actually, I am surprised that Senator Gravel was accorded the miniscule time he has received to be honest. At times it almost seems like one should just despair and let the insanity go on.

But then, I stop and think what it must be like to be Senator Gravel. How does he get up every day and face the stacked deck. Surely, after the courageous service he has already given this fragile democracy why should he face it.

It's about then that I wake up and realize that the reason he does it is because he knows that the only hope for 'The People' is to do what we did at our founding. We must step forward because there is no way that this gang that has gotten control of our lives is going to do what is best for us.

I think I get it. It's time to get up myself and put my support and energy with Mike. He needs it right now, especially some financial support. But, you know what, We need it more than he does. Lets get him back in this debate where he belongs. If we don't do it for him, lets do it for ourselves. Spread this wide and far.

[princessofnowt]

Mike-
your article comes just as I finish watching 'The Corporation'. I thought corporate corruption was bad, but now I see how it is truly running our country (and much of the world).

I saw how General Butler spoke out in congressional hearings when the corporations (and Prescott Bush) wanted him to lead 500,000 troops against Roosevelt! And how all wars were on behalf of corporations.

I hesitate to leave the above in- cause it makes me sound like a nut-job, but Look it up, people, it happened.

Of course they are going to try to muzzle you.

You are getting the truth out, telling us what is really going on.

the American public NEEDS to HEAR what you have to say!!!!!

Whatever we can do to get you heard needs to be done.

[dailyrev]

I would if I could Mike, but I've got $20 to last me till Friday. I'm blogging my butt off for you, though, and will be stopping by that church on Park Ave. tomorrow to say hello. And I'll ask my readers to contact NBC and let them know what we think about this brand of media elitism.

Now, a word for HuffPo readers: if you don't know who this guy is, there should be a friggin' monument of him on Capitol Hill, and a few streets named after him. He placed the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record, facing down one of the most violent and odious tyrannies of our time, the Nixon admin. Mike was also largely responsible for ending the draft (about a year before I became eligible--if not for Mike, I might not be alive today to write this).

And where are you Alaska? This was yer Senator? Are you proud of Stevens and his corruption? You had this guy Gravel, one of the few decent politicians to ever inhabit Capitol Hill. How in the devil's tail did you dare let him get away?

I read something like this, it makes me want to move to Norway.

[Kissydee]

Mr. Gravel-

I agree with you completely. You are kept out of the debates because you bring up truths the others do not want to talk about.

I find it bizarre that you are labeled "crazy," as you seem to be one of the few sane ones up there.