Mike Gravel Switches To Libertarian Party

Long-Shot Presidential Candidate To Drop Democratic Affiliation

(AP)  Long-shot presidential candidate Mike Gravel told supporters Wednesday he is leaving the Democratic Party to join the Libertarian Party.

Gravel, a former Democratic senator from Alaska, said in an e-mail that the Democratic Party "no longer represents my vision for our great country."

"It is a party that continues to sustain war, the military-industrial complex and imperialism - all of which I find anathema to my views," he said in the e-mail in which he also asked supporters for campaign donations.

Gravel, 77, has been excluded from recent Democratic debates because he failed to meet fundraising or polling thresholds.

"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," he said.

Gravel left the Senate in 1981 after losing the 1980 Democratic primary. An outspoken critic of the Vietnam War, he was among the first Democrats to speak out against the war in Iraq while others supported the president.

He announced his bid for the presidency on April 17, 2006.

[antoniof123]

It is going to be a fun year.

[gunownerdan]

The libertarian party is the only party that will really protect and defend all of our constitutional rights.
Maybe that''s why they will never be given a fair shot in our two-party duopoly.

[prinzowhales]

I wish Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul would do the same thing. The Demopublican Party of the Oligarchy is the scum of the earth...time for everyone who supports the Constitution and Liberty to leave their party in the dirt.

[walt1944-2009]

There has been a big debate about creating a 3rd party that would oppose the other 2 parties and would really represent the WILL OF THE PEOPLE, instead of the will of corporate America and/or special interest!

I would support such an idea and argue that there is room in the political system for a 3rd party. As it is, what alternatives do you have: a neocon Fascist Nazi Republican party that has changed the government from a democracy to a Fascist state, or a Whimpo-cratic Democratic Party that can''t get its act together, can''t find a backbone, and is just as thick with the lobbyists and special interests as the Fascist Nazis are!

The Founding Fathers of this country must be shaking their heads in Political Heaven and thinking we are all CRAZY!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!
sig heil (more of the same), McCain????

[mjvw2]

Walt, Do a little research. Fascism is government control of private enterprise. Exactly what Hillary and Obama are proposing. Don''t mind you attacking the Republicans but don''t give them credit for what they''re not.

[rushlimpdrug]

and in other news . .
Daffy Duck has not been heard from in several days.

[briannorwood]

Poor Mr. Gravel...

Before running for President, few people had ever heard his name. After running for President, few people have ever heard his name.

Now he''s leaving the Democratic Party? Even fewer people care.

You got your 15 minutes, Mike. Now go away.

[randynason]

Somebody pleeeaaassse... give Gravel the gavel. And quit shouting in my ear, if you would be so kind.

[byeneocons]

Prozac. Hurry.

[hawksprings]

GladImNotOJ and TheGateway1
You need to read "Liberal Fascism" which is just out this year.
That will correct your gross misconceptions about which American Political party is more closely aligned with Fascism.

[papabc]

Maybe Mike Gravel will go away and shut up after this year.

But a bad penny he is so who knows?

[fibonacci_]

Wow, this guy is cute.

[concorde5]

Miguel Gravel is alright in my book. I don''t blame him. the democrats and the republicans are dishing out more of the same old ***. The country is sick of politics as usual. Obama is a breath of fresh air but Hillary is trying hard to make sure he doesn''t win in November. She knows she can''t get the nomination but she wants to take Obama down with her so she can run again in 2012. It''s a shame she is such a MONSTER.

[mirthiam]

Senator Gravel made a valuable contribution to the field of candidates during the primaries; his departure is the Democratic Party''s loss and the Libertarian Party''s gain. Anybody in my view who values free speech supports the notion that all of us benefit when candidates for the Presidency can participate fully in nationally broadcast debates and have their viewpoints and ideas expressed, critiqued and fully discussed; on First Amendment grounds alone, I think Senator Gravel made a valuable contribution this year by complaining when he was excluded from forums made available to other leading Democratic candidates. He is a former Senator, and for that reason alone warrants public interest.

[tmn]

He and Nader should get together and form a Wacko party. Neither has a firm enough grasp on reality to accept they are not serious Presidential candidates.

[gunownerdan]

Mike gravel isn''t a prostitute so unfortunately there is no way he can become president.

[byeneocons]

It would be nice to see a third party, perhaps even the Libertarian party, that wasn''t a can of mixed nuts. I don''t think Gravel, Paul or Nader have much cheese left on their cracker.

[starleo146]

GOOD!!!!

[providence_-2009]

These elections are getting out of hand. I do not know who to vote for? Should we vote for Hillary or Obama or McCain any ideas anybody? The fighting on lying and racial bigotry that is going on in this election between the candidates is not good for the country! One idea is to go to http colon slash slash pilgrimswaylighted dot blogspot dot com do not add the www at all. Let me know what you think ok by the voting tab. whoever is the next president will be dealing with a big can of poisonous worms. Like the economy, illegal aliens and terrorism to boot etc. etc.

[KLHILL]

Hey Mikey:
Where the hell were you when Ron Paul was running, if you were a true Libertarian you would have supported him then. Go to Hell, your just a worthless loudmouth sore loser.

Get off our payroll and learn how to support yourself.

[antizion]

Given a choice between this guy and Hillary or McCrazy I will vote for Gravel.

OBAMA 08

[cbsblogger]

Our country is slowly coming to the realization and conclusion that we the people of the USA are being screwed royally by elite corporate and Israeli interests.

When we finally figure it out and throw out the offenders such as AIPAC and their groveling politicians, we will have regained control of our own destiny.

Gravel''s changing parties may be one small step for US interests.

[merlgrey]

Sad to see the Libertarian nutbags and other assorted fruitcakes waste their votes on these ghosts of John Anderson (1980''''s pointless candidate that took votes away from Jimmy Carter, allowing Ronnie Ragoon''''s mindless and dangerous brand of evangelical sellout-politics to ruin America).......Wake up, America !

Posted by FlangeSqueal at 06:51 PM :


youre right about wake up america.... but claiming wasted votes is a total hypocracy. having the courage to vote outside the media fed box is where true american change and values lie. people who vote non-mainstream usually seem more educated to the system of problems, and actually have the courage to attempt to make change happen. its the rest of america who needs to wake up... and actually cast an educated vote to begin with. voting for the media spoonfed politicians between two parties that are equally corrupt save for a few members is not really a democracy at all.

[zertrat]

Libertarians can be defined as "people who have not thought through the logic of their position because there is none." Supporting libertarian positions is like saying you are attracted to Brittney''s mammaries without knowing they are fake.

[zertrat]

Now i think about it:
Republicans don''t argue the logic of their position because they KNOW there is none and they reject folks with logic as elitist. And they are in the business of building fake mammaries (superficially attractive things) everywhere they can.

Democrats have logic but they end up spending it against the foolish positions of the Republicans and Libertarians, thereby making their response illogical. Like honking with geese. And they cannot believe that everything they see isn''t a real mammary, because they like em.

[blkpresident]

Providence,

Vote smart. You have three choices left: a girl, an OLD man or Obama. Please make your vote count.

[reddy991]

You keep hanging on to the "Libertarian Party" fantasy.
we know who "really" controller. check it at the site named www.40plusconnect.com

[creeper00]

So long, Mike. Don''t let the door hit you on the way out.

[gunownerdan]

Dirty democrats and rotten republicans will destroy America - IF WE LET THEM.

[b-easy63]

ONCE AGAIN....Obama may find himself in hot water--not for something he did, but for who he knows. Those Rezko indictments are sure to heat up and spill over and cause damage!!

Unfortunately for Hillary--she can''''''''t catch a break, soon to potentially break in the news is the story before the California appeals court which could DeLay her candidacy for good. this time evidence shows that Hillary (HERSELF ONCE AGAIN)was involved. At issue is a 250K donation made to her senatorial campaign. Her staff said she had no knowledge of it, so she was not roped into the scandal when her campaign mgr faced charges of hiding that money from the IRS.

Unfortunately VIDEO may again place Hill in deep doo, doo. It seems there is a video tape recording her discussing the fund raiser with the donors (on it, she talks about who would be there and what they will do) this means she performed what is known as a direct campaign request. donations from donors for that kind of request are limited to 25K. Since the donation was for 250K, that would be considered campaign fraud.

Woe is Hillary and Damnnnn those videos and tape recordings that make being a great liar so hard to keep up these days!!! ROTFLMAO.

Maybe Hill should quit, before she finds herself in court this time, with no way to hide her hand in shady dealings. Here''''''''s the Link: http://www.usjf.net/modules.php?op=modlo

ad&name=News&file=article&sid=344

[rowdytexan2]

I liked Obama''s speeches, they are very entertaining. But in the course of the campaign, I see the disconnect between Obama''s speeches and what he does. Anyway, I hope the voters would try to look deeper into his scant record, and see for themselves.

Anyway, I agree with the first post that Clinton seems to be the uniter in this campaign. I am not a white person, and I like her. If you look at the racial divides, one cannot help but conclude that it is Clinton who transcends racial barriers. Obama has the 90% of the black votes, but Clinton has the majority of everybody else, e.g. Hispanics, whites, asians, etc.

Many see Obama as a symbol, and I can''t blame others voting because of a symbol. Unfortunately, the government has to be run, and I would rather have somebody who knows that.

I think the media has been largely unfair to Clinton, and now that the media is scrutinizing Obama more, Obama supporters are claiming racism. Ferraro''s observation is right on, and whether Ferraro is with the Clinton campaign or not, that what she said remains to be true.

Posted by: CPCook | March 18, 2008 03:27 PM

Well said!

[cfin5]

I find what Gavel has done is very interesting. It is a wise move! Hope he does well because all I want is the best American to win the Presidency. Not a NEOLIB or NEOCON please! In my conversations with folks his name comes up from time to time favorably with angry dems disgusted with the two they have now. Reps aren''t any happier with McCain at all. Going Libertarian could be the niche he needed.

[oldhacks]

WHAT IS WITH THE PICTURE YOU USED CBS???

IM SO TIRED OF THIS *** CNN DOES THE SAME THING JUST SHOWS PICTURES OF HIM THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT SHOWING HIM IN HIS BEST LIGHT WHILE YOU SHOW HILLARY LOOKING LIKE A BEAUTY QUEEN!!!

CHANGE THE PICTURE RIGHT NOW YOU WORTHLESS PHONY CROOKED CORPORATE SELL OUT ***!