Could Mike Gravel get on TV (MSNBC, specifically)?

[rossl]

An article I wrote at Dailykos (and cross-posted at OpEdNews):

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/2/13/16035/2491/470/697194

Excerpt:

The man is a hero. When he was in the Senate in the 1970s, he single-handedly filibustered the renewal of the draft and released the Pentagon Papers into the public record. He also was instrumental in stopping nuclear bomb testing in the North Pacific, and he even made it to Nixon's enemies list. He was an important figure in ending the Vietnam War and was probably the most outspoken and progressive Senator of the time.

He was also an innovator campaigner in his day. Along with Begich, he is one of only two Democrats to ever represent Alaska in the Senate. By respecting and paying attention to Alaska's natives, he was able to become Alaska's Speaker of the House and a Senator in a very short period of time. As he put it,

It's like going into the Senate. You know, the first time you get there, you're all excited, "My God, how did I ever get here?" Then, about six months later, you say, "How the hell did the rest of them get here?"

Unfortunately, this great man was no great campaigner in the 2008 presidential election. To most people, he became little more than an entertainer.

And that's exactly what he should be.

Something to keep in mind: I was writing for the Democratic Dailykos audience.

Something to check out related to this - http://www.globalperspectives.tv

 

[Xenophage]

Mike Gravel is a fairly typical liberal, albeit a bit smarter and more open minded than most. He is still an economic idiot.

 

[Kludge]

At least Gravel is rational (though some of the Youtube videos are questionable...). His ethical beliefs may be different from our own, but his society would probably be sustainable and non-interventionist. I'd support a Gravel campaign enthusiastically if he ever had a chance.

 

[BuddyRey]

at least gravel is rational (though some of the youtube videos are questionable...). His ethical beliefs may be different from our own, but his society would probably be sustainable and non-interventionist. I'd support a gravel campaign enthusiastically if he ever had a chance.

+2012

 

[rossl]

Regardless of what you think of Gravel's philosophy, wouldn't it be great to see his honesty and bluntness on one of those networks? Especially instead of one of those stupid typical hosts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBcMUZAXMW4

 

[Xenophage]

Gravel's philosophy of direct democracy would lead to pure Communism. I thought we all wanted to RESTORE THE REPUBLIC around here?

Well, apart from those that want to destroy all government

 

[Xenophage]

Its interesting, as someone who lived in Alaska for 23 out of my 26 years... Mike Gravel was always just a liberal jackass. He somehow got this pseudo-libertarian label plastered on him in the last year.

 

[Kludge]

Gravel>Trotsky>Stalin>Obama>Marx

 

[rossl]

Its interesting, as someone who lived in Alaska for 23 out of my 26 years... Mike Gravel was always just a liberal jackass. He somehow got this pseudo-libertarian label plastered on him in the last year.

I guess helping to end the draft, end the Vietnam War, end nuclear testing in the North Pacific, being against the Iraq war from the beginning, calling for restoration of civil liberties, calling for gay marriage, and calling for the end of the drug war had nothing to do with that.

 

[Xenophage]

I guess helping to end the draft, end the Vietnam War, end nuclear testing in the North Pacific, being against the Iraq war from the beginning, calling for restoration of civil liberties, calling for gay marriage, and calling for the end of the drug war had nothing to do with that.

Nah, I think it was supporting a carbon tax, socialized national health care, regulation of drugs he supposedly wanted to decriminalize, guest worker programs, and eliminating the Constitution to replace it with direct democracy.

 

[rossl]

Well, I explained how he got the pseudo-libertarian label. He never got the libertarian label fully, so I'm not sure what you're asking anymore...

He has certainly done a lot to advance libertarian causes, though, even if he doesn't adhere to the ideology (or any other ideology, for that matter).

 

[rossl]

Oh, and he doesn't want to "replace" the Constitution at all. He wants to amend it.

 

[Xenophage]

Well, I explained how he got the pseudo-libertarian label. He never got the libertarian label fully, so I'm not sure what you're asking anymore...

He has certainly done a lot to advance libertarian causes, though, even if he doesn't adhere to the ideology (or any other ideology, for that matter).

You gave me a sarcastic answer. The fact is, most liberals are against the draft and the drug war and for "civil liberties" as they define them, at least in theory. What made Mike Gravel so special? Because he supports the Fair Tax? Oh, yay, Huckabee + National Health Care.

Libertarian causes sometimes align with the left and sometimes with the right, but I don't see how Gravel has done anything extraordinary to advance libertarianism.

 

[Xenophage]

Oh, and he doesn't want to "replace" the Constitution at all. He wants to amend it.

TO replace it with direct democracy, which is completely at odds with republicanism.

 

[rossl]

TO replace it with direct democracy, which is completely at odds with republicanism.

No, he wants to add direct democracy to our representative system. Not replace it.

And he has advanced libertarian causes by doing things that increase our freedom, decrease the destruction of government, and decrease the power of government. Maybe he wanted the government to provide some healthcare (although he by no means supported universal healthcare) in his campaign rhetoric, but that doesn't really matter compared to what he actually accomplished when he was in the Senate.

 

[BuddyRey]

I'll say this about Gravel: If I hadn't taken such a shine to Ron Paul during the campaign, and had more faith in him to have more long-term success, I probably would have not only voted for, but volunteered and campaigned for Gravel.

I don't care if he's a bit of a lefty. A lot of people are, including me once. Gravel's good people.