Mike Gravel running as libertarian now

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Mike Gravel is joining the libertarian party. He isn't the most conservatve libertarian but he is anti-war, pro freedom. He's more into socialism than Ron Paul but just letting you know that if you are a liberal or pro socialist, you have someone other than Clinton and Obama that has American interests in mind.

I prefer Ron Paul but I think Mike Gravel could also grow on me too. P.S. Ron Paul NEVER dropped out.

http://activote.ontheissues.org/AVA/Mike_Gravel.htm


Former Democratic Senator (AK):
Mike Gravel on the Issues

Mike Gravel on Abortion


Agreed with NARAL on 16 pro-choice votes; absent on other 7. (Jan 2008)
Any abortion decision should remain between woman & doctor. (Apr 2007)
Stem Cell research should not be limited. (Jun 2006)
Mike Gravel on Budget & Economy


Personal bankruptcy ok because money went to empower people. (Sep 2007)
Unequivocally Endorses The Common Sense Budget Act. (Dec 2006)
Make Office of Scientific Assessment to avoid cost overruns. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Civil Rights


Alaskan gay supporters in Harvey Milk Club. (Aug 2007)
Marriage preceded religion; it's not a religious term. (Aug 2007)
Mainstream politicians play it safe on gay marriage. (Aug 2007)
First accomplishment: creating AK Human Rights Commission. (Aug 2007)
Straight older men are dead wrong to oppose gay marriage. (Aug 2007)
By next election, gay marriage could win a popular vote. (Aug 2007)
Civil union establish second-class citizenship for gays. (Aug 2007)
We must assert our rights; nobody will give them to you. (Aug 2007)
Dems love blacks during elections, but nothing has improved. (Jul 2007)
Electoral-industrial complex steals African-American votes. (Jul 2007)
Racism still with us in the 21st century. (Jun 2007)
Don't ask don't tell should have gone 20 years ago. (Jun 2007)
Unequivocally supports same-sex marriage. (Feb 2007)
Politicians use fear to manipulate us all. (Feb 2007)
Calling critics or doubters un-American is anti-patriotic. (Aug 2006)
Mike Gravel on Corporations


Hold accountable war-profiteers like NBC and GE. (Oct 2007)
Leadership fails because US is run by corporate America. (Sep 2007)
Corporate taxes just get passed on to consumers. (Dec 2006)
Purpose of economy is to meet people's needs, not business. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Crime


If you don't have any money, you don't get any justice. (Jun 2007)
Eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing laws. (May 2007)
Citizen Power includes abolition of the death penalty. (Jan 2007)
More jails don't cut crime--must address poverty instead. (Jan 1972)
Stop punishment for victimless crimes: drugs, sex & gambling. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Drugs


Supports national ban on smoking in public places. (Sep 2007)
Lower drinking age from 21 to 18 so soldiers can drink. (Sep 2007)
Allow buying marijuana at liquor stores. (Aug 2007)
Decriminalize hard drugs so we can treat addicts. (Aug 2007)
Drug War failing now, like Prohibition failed in 1920s. (Aug 2007)
Drugs are public health issue, not criminal issue. (Jun 2007)
FactCheck: Only 40% of inmates are black; not 70% as claimed. (Jun 2007)
War on drugs loses an entire generation to our prisons. (May 2007)
Legalize the use and possession of marijuana. (Feb 2007)
Mike Gravel on Education


No position on separation of church & state. (Nov 2007)
Extend school day and extend school year. (Sep 2007)
Our school stats fail because we're stuck in triumphalism. (Sep 2007)
GovWatch: Yes, Americans are getting fatter, but not dumber. (Sep 2007)
Supports merit pay for teachers; make education top priority. (Aug 2007)
Sent kids to some private school; likes a little competition. (Jul 2007)
US schools fail because we're yoked by military. (Feb 2007)
Citizen Power includes school vouchers. (Jan 2007)
Vouchers are innovative & imaginative--let's experiment. (Jan 1972)
25% bonus for teachers in hardship areas. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Energy & Oil


Carbon tax can get us off of gasoline in 5 years. (Sep 2007)
Wind power is solution to oil dependency. (Sep 2007)
I started the nuclear critique in this country. (Apr 2007)
Make Global Warming a matter of national security. (Dec 2006)
Immediately sign the Kyoto protocol. (Nov 2006)
Nuclear energy is unwise because of nuclear waste. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Environment


To get Americans to conserve, change the tax structure. (Jul 2007)
Iraq funds could build 4 million homes for Katrina victims. (Jun 2007)
Support a carbon tax and stop fighting wars for oil. (Jun 2007)
Mike Gravel on Families & Children


US ranks low worldwide in child literacy and child health. (Nov 2006)
Mike Gravel on Foreign Policy


With policy of "beggar thy neighbor," we all become beggars. (Dec 2007)
Recognize Cuba; open up to Chavez in Venezuela. (Sep 2007)
No US troops in Darfur; Africans don't trust US. (Jul 2007)
Need president with moral judgment; most don't have it. (Jun 2007)
US has no important enemies, so treat world as equals. (Apr 2007)
Bi-lateral plus multi-lateral talks with North Korea. (Aug 2006)
Replace intervention with participation, not isolation. (Jan 1972)
US should empower UN with stand-by peace force. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Free Trade


CAFTA & NAFTA cause unemployment in Mexico & Central America. (Sep 2007)
Trade agreements only benefit shareholders. (Jun 2007)
Mike Gravel on Government Reform


Americans are getting fatter & dumber; must get empowered!. (Sep 2007)
Asks candidates to pledge to use existing public finance law. (Aug 2007)
When you use political capital, more capital flows your way. (Aug 2007)
Obama avoids PAC money, but takes lobbyists' bundled money. (Jul 2007)
Without paper ballots, they'll steal the next election too. (Jul 2007)
Congress is Constitutionally more powerful than President. (Jun 2007)
Congress is Constitutionally more powerful than President. (Jun 2007)
People protest because they cannot participate in power. (Jun 2007)
People protest because they cannot participate in power. (Jun 2007)
Institute healtharereforms by people's National Initiative. (Mar 2007)
I've got no money; of course I'm for campaign finance reform. (Feb 2007)
You can be empowered to vote on issues that affect your life. (Feb 2007)
Repeal the Electoral College; enact federal term limits. (Dec 2006)
National Initiative to allow citizen law makers. (Nov 2006)
Start with public financing of campaigns. (Jan 1972)
Abolish voter registration as precondition for voting. (Jan 1972)
Replace electoral college with direct election. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Gun Control


Military culture causes more gun violence. (Jul 2007)
Require license & training for gun ownership. (May 2007)
Mike Gravel on Health Care


Universal coverage with guaranteed equal care. (Sep 2007)
Reforms fail because pharma companies control Congress. (Sep 2007)
Everybody should have the same health care. (Sep 2007)
Applies lessons from his healthcare-related bankruptcy. (Sep 2007)
Need to do better job on treating Americans with HIV. (Aug 2007)
End subsidization of the insurance companies. (Jun 2007)
Doctors do a lot of testing today to cover their backsides. (Mar 2007)
Single-payer health care plan via vouchers you can add to. (Mar 2007)
Real reform impossible under mercantile lobbying system. (Mar 2007)
Reforming employer-based system keeps historical accident. (Mar 2007)
Vouchers provide freedom of choice and perhaps public plan. (Mar 2007)
President has role to energize people for preventive health. (Mar 2007)
Phase out Medicare and Medicaid over time. (Mar 2007)
Citizen Power includes universal health care. (Jan 2007)
Almost all developed nations provide healthcare for all. (Nov 2006)
We have impressive resources but need delivery to people. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Homeland Security


I ended the draft; I stopped nuclear testing. (Sep 2007)
Terrorism is not a war; treat it as a criminal act. (Sep 2007)
We are STILL expanding our nuclear capability. (Aug 2007)
US has nothing to fear; fear sustains the military complex. (Aug 2007)
Filibustered to end the draft; but women should register. (Jul 2007)
Cut Pentagon by more than 15%; we're squandering money. (Jun 2007)
FactCheck: Yes, Iraq money could fund 21M scholarships. (Jun 2007)
Threatening nukes is immoral foreign policy. (Apr 2007)
Fighting terrorism with a war doesn't work. (Apr 2007)
US is the greatest violator of the non-proliferation treaty. (Apr 2007)
Filibustered the draft in '71, causing its expiration in '73. (Jan 2007)
Raze Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib prisons to the ground. (Dec 2006)
Cut US nuclear arsenal from 10,000 to a couple hundred. (Nov 2006)
War on terror will fail like war on drugs & war on poverty. (Nov 2006)
Fight terrorism with dogged global police work. (Nov 2006)
Remove power to declare war from Congress-they've abdicated. (Apr 2006)
Fought & beat Nixon White House on Pentagon Papers in 1971. (Apr 2006)
Bush administration's secrecy is worse than Nixon's. (Apr 2006)
Cut military budget in half--we don't need such "readiness". (Jan 1972)
Government secrecy creates 1984-style state. (Jan 1972)
National security is no need for government secrecy. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Immigration


We're making a mountain out of a mole hill on immigration. (Dec 2007)
Immigration issue is national scapegoating. (Sep 2007)
Embarrassed at building a wall on southern border. (Sep 2007)
Suspend immigrant raids that separate families. (Sep 2007)
I'm first-generation American; we're all immigrants. (Sep 2007)
Make whole country a sanctuary city. (Sep 2007)
I'm ashamed that we're building a fence on southern border. (Sep 2007)
Make English the official language of the US. (Jun 2007)
Illegal immigrants come here for jobs; don't deport them. (Jun 2006)
Mike Gravel on Jobs


Claims 100% rating with AFL-CIO for full legislative career. (Aug 2007)
Minimum wage as president OK, but we need living wage. (Jul 2007)
Citizens Wage: individuals share in nation's total affluence. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Principles & Values


Protests being cut out of debate as free speech issue. (Oct 2007)
I believe in the power of love over the power of prayer. (Aug 2007)
Decisive moment: realizing representative gov't is broken. (Aug 2007)
Leadership brings society to civic maturity on tough issues. (Aug 2007)
Leaders are seen as mavericks, and only later as courageous. (Aug 2007)
Clintons & DLC sold out the Democratic Party to Wall Street. (Jul 2007)
GOP lost in 2006 because they were lousy; Dems must earn '08. (Jun 2007)
Video "Fire" is metaphor for gathering & using experience. (Jun 2007)
Video "Rock" is metaphor for causing changes in society. (Jun 2007)
Did not plan on presidency, but candidates are frightening. (Apr 2007)
Let the people decide: Solution is with you, not leaders. (Mar 2007)
Achieved much in Senate, but prefers governors for president. (Feb 2007)
US citizens should be allowed to vote for or against laws. (Feb 2007)
Came in 3rd for Vice Presidential nomination in 1972. (Jan 2007)
Has campaigned in NH almost fulltime since April 2006. (Jan 2007)
Citizen Power: democracy requires participation. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Social Security


Put real money in the Trust Fund & invest it properly. (Dec 2006)
Let beneficiaries leave surplus funds to heirs. (Apr 2006)
Mike Gravel on Tax Reform


Tax code is corrupt & serves the wealthy. (Jun 2007)
Wipe out the income tax! -- it's regressive. (Feb 2007)
National sales tax; no exceptions; prebates for essentials. (Feb 2007)
Supports a national sales tax to replace IRS. (Jan 2007)
Repeal the income tax and close down the IRS. (Dec 2006)
Tax system unfairness only superceded by incomprehensibility. (Apr 2006)
Less regressive tax on poor; more capital gains on rich. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on War & Peace


Iran's not a problem, never has been, never will be. (Dec 2007)
Make Congress vote on veto override and war will end. (Sep 2007)
Patraeus report is tragic charade; we all knew what he'd say. (Sep 2007)
Pull American troops out; it can be done in 120 days. (Sep 2007)
Young men & women will die because of this nation's mistake. (Sep 2007)
Iran Resolution is a fig leaf to go to war with Iran. (Sep 2007)
Bush cooking books on Iran; resolve against invading Iran. (Aug 2007)
Blaming Iraqis for war problems is American imperialism. (Aug 2007)
Bush can't go into Iran today because I filibustered draft. (Aug 2007)
Soldiers in Vietnam died in vain; now same in Iraq. (Jul 2007)
2006 election was about Bush's war; so end it. (Jun 2007)
Vietnam caused no dominoes; Iraq won't either. (Jun 2007)
Someone who voted for the Iraq war shouldn't be president. (Jun 2007)
Soldiers in Iraq are dying in vain; so just get out. (Apr 2007)
Iraq war was lost the day Bush invaded-make it illegal. (Apr 2007)
2008 election will be decided by how Democrats handle war. (Feb 2007)
Bush can sign bill to end war, or he can believe in God. (Feb 2007)
Anyone who voted for the war should not be president. (Feb 2007)
Bring the troops home now. (Feb 2007)
Stop nuclear proliferation: the Cold War is over. (Feb 2007)
Immediate withdrawal from the war in Iraq. (Jan 2007)
Commence an immediate and orderly withdrawal from Iraq. (Dec 2006)
Election was mandate for peace but carnage continues for oil. (Dec 2006)
US creates threats to our own security by acting out of fear. (Jan 1972)
Mike Gravel on Welfare & Poverty


No position on faith-based initiatives. (Oct 2007)
US ranks low worldwide in poverty statistics. (Nov 2006)
Citizens Wage: $5000 income from feds to banish poverty. (Jan 1972)
Workfare is morally repugnant; why not "wealthwork"? (Jan 1972)

Judging from that list, I have to wonder if Gravel is really a libertarian. He seems like one on social issues (which most democrats do), but not at all on the economic ones.

I don't think he really is, but he probably leans libertarian more so than much of the left.

HE isn't. He ran as a democrat before giving up. But it's still cool, I have 3 candidates I know I'll vote for (Assuming I can; IIRC you can vote if you're 17 and close to your 18th birthday)

Obama, Gravel or Nader...one of those 3.

EDIT: OP, Ron PAul did not drop out?

Cool! Well, I liked Gravel originally, then it seemed that he'd never win that nomination, so I became interested in Ron Paul...and well, we know what happened there as well...So, then it was Obama.

GOOD magazine did an article on Mike Gravel a while back...it was very good...

Do a search for Hillary Clinton and Mike Gravel on YOUTUBE...there's a couple of videos that really put Hillar to the test...

No, Ron Paul never dropped out. The media has flat out lied or put their own spin. The GOP has played their own tricks to make sure it's Mccain too however, there is some scare going on that has prompted GOP to write letters of Ron Paul supporters attempt to "steal" delegates.

Washington's vote count was postponed after it had started for a whole week and the AP was told to go ahead and say Mccain won the state. Ron Paul actually had alot of support in that state.

Other ticks played by the GOP in that state was telling people beforehand that if they showed support for Ron Paul they would not get picked so put down uncommited which is the reason why there were so many uncommitted's.

In this video, he tells CNN he's not out and he calls Obama out towards the end.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxRMgDIaRCo[/youtube]