Becuase Everything Else Sucks

Mike Gravel’s Alternative Debate

By Manila Ryce
Published Monday, November 19th, 2007, 8:27 am
Filed under: Videos: Debate, Videos: Political, Videos, US Politics

If the establishment keeps Mike Gravel from attending the Democratic “debate” then he just hosts his own. Like him or not, you’ve gotta respect that.

During the debate in Las Vegas, Sen. Gravel maintained an alternative debate nearby, discussing the other candidates, their policies, and their rhetoric with his supporters, both in attendance, and streamed live via ustream.tv. In this clip, Sen. Gravel confronts Hillary Clinton about her history of public policy relating to Iran.

Mike Gravel was excluded from the last two debates because his campaign hadn’t raised $1 million. Now, whether you dislike Gravel or even think that he detracts from these debates is besides the point. He is a presidential candidate being excluded from consideration by the Democratic leadership and war-profiting corporations based on arbitrary standards they’ve invented. If we allow business to limit our choices and promote their favorite candidates over airwaves which are meant to serve the public interest, then democracy is dead in America.

Hillary, Your Lips are Moving and You’re Lying

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I personally think it’s time that the supporters of lesser known candidates (even those in the Republican Party) work together for the sole purpose of making these debates fair. Each candidate must be given the same amount of speaking time. The threat of a boycott or even legal action from a large segment of the public could bring that about. The corporate media must be held accountable, and hitting them while ratings are low due to the writers’ strike is probably the best time to do it. Leave me a comment if you’d like to help me get that started, or have ideas regarding such a cross-party movement.

Gravel’s entire “Alternative Debate” is available below the fold. The first 13 ½ minutes is them trying to get the audio working. In between that time and about the 28 minute mark, Mike is killing time before the debate starts on television. The rest is both insightful and humorous. There’s nothing better than grumpy uncle Gravel giving commentary about a rigged event. He lets candidates get their points in, but at times it’s like a political version of Mystery Science Theater. Kudos Mike.

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11 Responses to “Mike Gravel’s Alternative Debate”

  1. When Gravelle is coherent, he is frequently entertaining and on the mark. But often times he comes across as, at best, senile and at worst, deranged.

    Comrade Kevin
    11/19/07 at 9:37 am

  2. […] h/t: The Largest Minority […]

    Gravel: Hillary, Your Lips are Moving and You’re Lying (video) « Dandelion Salad
    11/19/07 at 1:09 pm

  3. what “we” need to do is redefine the parties…rather than dem and rep there could be a “”corporatist party and a “people’s” party this would essentially force the major dem and rep candidates into the corporatist mold leaving people like kusinich, gravel and paul with a fighting chance…”"

    susan stephens
    11/19/07 at 3:48 pm

  4. You’re preaching to the choir here. Hillary would never get my vote. Mike Gravel is entertaining to watch and listen to but he wouldn’t get my vote, either. He does come across a bit senile at times.

    Lord Byron
    11/19/07 at 8:46 pm

  5. Anyone see that film “Network?” Eerily similar.

    Andy
    11/19/07 at 9:07 pm

  6. How about evaluating candidates based on their stand on the ISSUES as opposed to how they come across?

    Like, for example: Gravel supports a regressive national sales tax, which although possessing some interesting progressive qualities (like the prebate), would essentially give the biggest tax break in history to the rich while turning our country into the virtual economic equivalent of Switzerland, i.e., a massive tax shelter for multinational corporations. This is essentially the tax system that proponents of globalization envision for all countries, whereby multinationals will be able to freely move capital from nation to nation, letting the countries outbid each other in tax cuts, corporate subsidies, low wages, lax environmental regulations, etc., at the expense of the then debt-ridden people of those nations. Taxes on retail sales as opposed to profits, inheritance, or income is about as corporate friendly as you can get.

    Now that to me seems like a very serious critique of Mike Gravel as a candidate, and an excellent reason for a progressive-minded individual to be hesitant in supporting him.

    Talking about how candidates come across in debates and interviews as opposed to discussing and comparing their stands on the issues reminds me too much of Fox News or CNN talking about candidate horse races.

    Sam
    11/19/07 at 10:24 pm

  7. It amazes me that there are not enough people standing up yet? That we’re all behaving like a bunch of sheep! Is it going to suprise anyone when Hitlery is our next President for the next 2 terms, and then Jeb Bush for the 2 after, and finally Chelsea for another 2??? COME ON, PEOPLE! It’s time for a gravelution! http://www.gravelution.us

    Shree Mulay
    11/20/07 at 3:09 pm

  8. It was an awesome debate and I was happy to be one who watched Mike Gravel live.

    maxim khailo
    11/20/07 at 3:35 pm

  9. […] in Las Vegas for not reaching CNN’s $1 million fundraising threshold, Gravel nonetheless held a “virtual” debate nearby and attended that evening’s annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner. There, rx2008, a […]

    Stumper : The Story Behind Mike Gravel's Mad Mash-Up. Can You Dig It?
    11/29/07 at 2:45 pm

  10. You know there are people who say what mike says is senile at times but I believe it is them who are senile to think someone who is just “good enough” or status quo will do the job for this difficult and trying time for America. We are faced with our market dwindling due to unsustainable consumerism, the dollar steadily falling, war for economic gains( We don’t spend billions for smiles from brown people) unsustainable ecological impact, global exploitation and expedition of industry and jobs, and most importantly health care issues and education being at pathetic lows for the majority.Now thats not all issues mind you, however I have not seen one candidate who has the guts and wisdom to look truth in the eye and pronounce it such as Gravel. Do not say Ron Paul he is without a coherent plan and wants to just dazzle people with “underdog” status and nice ideas without any real initiative.And as for the rest? Do I need say anything else?
    In trying times good enough is not good enough!

    zoticus1
    11/29/07 at 10:11 pm

  11. […] in Las Vegas for not reaching CNN’s $1 million fundraising threshold, Gravel nonetheless held a “virtual” debate nearby and attended that evening’s annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner. There, rx2008, a […]

    Stumper : The Story Behind Mike Gravel's Mad 'Mash-Up.' Can You Dig It?
    11/29/07 at 11:50 pm

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