From Senator Gravel: Statement on Edwards's Dropping Out
It saddened me greatly to hear yesterday that John Edwards had decided to drop out of the race. We may have had our differences on some issues, such as supporting gay marriage and ending the war on drugs, but clearly he was a better choice for America than the two remaining so-called top-tier Democratic candidates, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Edwards and I agreed more than we disagreed on many vital issues, such as ending the war in Iraq, cutting the military budget and fighting the culture of corruption in Washington.
To his credit, Edwards has shown great moral strength and integrity by admitting that his original support for the war in 2002 was “a mistake.” Now, he advocates ending the war in its entirety, something that Clinton and Obama have not done. Clinton and Obama have the power to stop the violence, but neither one has stepped forward to show true leadership in the Senate by confronting Bush and the military-industrial complex on Iraq and the widening war on terror.
And when the mainstream media and the Democratic Party leadership conspired to drop me from the national debates, it was Edwards who kept the pressure on Clinton for her vote in favor of war with Iran.
Let’s not forget that Clinton has raised more money from the military-industrial complex than any other candidate – including even the Republicans! Her ties to corporations like WalMart, her legislation that benefits defense firms like Northrop Grumman and her pro-war voting record – let’s just say we shouldn’t be expecting her to cut the military budget and reinvest the money domestically where it is needed most.
As for Obama, where’s the change? He votes like Clinton, and his endorsement of military spending increases and his Wall Street backing make him yet another corporate-backed Establishment candidate.
Every day now, we hear pundits speculating on who is going to drop out of the race next. In their myopic view, however, they do not understand what we do. Winning the nomination isn’t the only reason some of us run for the highest office in the country. We persevere because we care deeply for our country, and we subject ourselves to the grueling schedule and the often unflattering media spotlight because we believe in the importance of the issues that we bring to the table.
It is these issues where John and I agree that I hope will bring us all together in support of real change – not the safe, focus-group-tested solutions proffered by media-friendly candidates.
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Comments
You Can Do It Mike!!
Submitted on February 6th, 2008 by ShannonI was also very disappointed to hear Edwards dropping out of the race. I know that he was very definite on getting out of Iraq, and that is the main thing that I am looking for in a presidential candidate.
Mike, I know that you can do it. You are the one that I am definitely voting for. Don't give up, you have MANY people who support you.
My boyfriend of 3 years is a Marine, so I am very opinionated about this war. I want us to get out of Iraq as soon as we can. I have been to the funeral of three of my closest friends (Marines) that were all under the age of 21. My cousin who is 19 just lost her husband a month ago. It was completely devastating to see a 20 year old boy laying in an open casket in his dress blues. It was not closed. The devastation that we have all gone through because of this war is inexpressable. We need to get out or Iraq as soon as possible. Mccain, Clinton, and Obama DO NOT have this as a goal. McCain said that he wanted us to be over there for 100 years to solve the problem. Is that really a good viewpoint of a man that could run our nation??
You also share so many people's opinions about immigration, abortion, and gay marriage. I want you to know that you have full support of me and many others in this nation. We will keep fighting for you, because we know that you can do it. Just don't give up hope. Otherwise, I am terrified to see where this country is headed without you. You need to help us fix this mess that we got into, and we KNOW that you can do it. That's why you have our full support.
Honestly...
Submitted on February 6th, 2008 by SilentAs a younger voter, I was disappointed when Edwards pulled from the race. EXTREMELY disappointed.
All I can say is that I hope you, Mr.Gravel, do what Edwards did not:
Keep. Going.
I would adore to see you as President. I think you have excellent ideas on how to run this country, and the idea of choosing between Clinton and Obama leaves a sour taste in my mouth... so I sincerely hope you don't give up and drop out as Edwards did.
The only issue I see is a lack of media coverage. :( I only heard of you today... totally by accident. Need to get more public supporters, and really get your name out there. Someone suggested running an an independent up there and getting support from some media person. Sounds like a good plan to me... Honestly, I think that's the issue with many Democratic/Independent/Whatever canidates. They just don't try and get media coverage. Clinton and Obama get tons of it, because they actively snag the spotlight... Everyone else sort of fades into the background.
So, anyhow. :D I hope to see a lot more of you, Mr.Gravel, and I hope that you keep striving for the White House. America could use a change.
My hubby, Mike and I proudly
Submitted on February 4th, 2008 by Mike and LoriMy hubby, Mike and I proudly voted for you here in WA and we are going to be attending the local Caucus this Saturday sporting our Gravel t-shirts and buttons! Keep on fighting!
Mike Run As An Independent and Get Lou Dobbs Support!
Submitted on February 4th, 2008 by bgreen68Mike, you have nearly the same ideas as CNN's Lou Dobbs and I'm sure if you contacted him and you were running as an independent in the general election in November that Lous Dobbs would support you! He has millions of loyal viewers of his show and that would mean lots and lots of votes. A really great independent could win in november! The people have had it with the Democrats and the Republican who only represent special interests and corporations. I believe that the time is ripe for an independent progressive to run and win the whitehouse! If you got Lou Dobbs behind you and his viewers it could be done. Forget about running as a democrat because they are no longer the same party of FDR, Truman, and JFK. I believe that corporate america took over the democrats party in 1963 when JFK was killed. It's time to have another revolution, the one that Jefferson spoke about happening every 25 years and it is over do. Run as an independent and start a new progressive reform party and get the support of Lou Dobbs and his audience, they would be the start of it for you!
dobbs
Submitted on February 6th, 2008 by wilburMI Was an Edwards Supporter
Submitted on February 2nd, 2008 by iansowersI was an Edwards supporter for a year, right up until he quit. One good thing about his departure is that it led me to discover Mike Gravel, whose views are actually a better fit with mine than Edwards’ were -- which of course means I should’ve been supporting Gravel in the first place! Looking forward to filling in the oval for Gravel in Washington’s Feb. 19 primary.
poo-tee-weet
Submitted on February 1st, 2008 by Ryanlaw1Mike I proudly cast my vote for you today. Here in washington you were on the ballot! Keep fighting for us! WE will keep fighting too!
I agree...I liked Edwards so
Submitted on February 1st, 2008 by RachaelI agree...I liked Edwards so much better than Obama and Hillary. Even though I was voting for you anyway, (and I still am) I was sad to hear he was dropping out.
It seems people are so hyped up about voting in a "woman" or a "black man" that they're forgetting the real issues. But isn't that always the case? I blame the media.
the so called media
Submitted on February 12th, 2008 by ashsanI believe that the so-called media deserves all our fury for so abysmally lining up with the status quo and reducing the debate to indiscriminate soundbytes that do nothing to investigate real problems or commend real solutions. I believe that if we had a media with enough guts to scrap the inane concept of "viability" and endorse and celebrate candidate who are really trying to change things, we would have seen a lot more of Edwards, Gravel, and Kucinich in this faux-hope race.
media and corruption
Submitted on February 21st, 2008 by amyphiloOne huge problem we have today is the media... they have their angle before they even interview anyone. And in the case of Mike Gravel, they shut him out completely from the debates. I heard about Mike on NPR on the Diane Ream show, and I was so glad!
After the NIU shooting, my husband attempted to post on the CNN forum about the fact that the shooter had been taking Prozac but was in abrupt withdrawal, but was taking drugs for years. These shootings are all caused by stupid psych drugs. But his message was never approved.
Censorship is very widespread, even in online communities. I have been censored far too many times to count about the psych drug issue. I am a Zoloft survivor. That's just one reason to support Gravel, for he understands that politicians have been corrupted by corporate dollars and he wants no part of that scene. He just wants to save us from the greed that is wrecking the country and destroying the planet.
I agree, let's stop the stupid war right now. No more deaths so some big whigs can get more money. It's totally insane.
www.uniteforlife.org
love this forum
Submitted on February 21st, 2008 by amyphiloAnd speaking of censorship, gotta love that my comments show up here. If you try this on the Hillary Clinton website, they moderate every comment so they don't show up for a long time if at all. And when you try to send a message to Obama via the congress email site, forget about it. If you are not his constituent you can't email him. But yet he expects us to vote for him in the primary?What a wuss.By the way please sign my petition against the MOTHERS ACT - see http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-the-dangerous-and-invasive-mothers-actwww.uniteforlife.org