Strange new Gravel videos

Posted: Friday, June 15, 2007 11:22 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
What is Mike Gravel doing? In a YouTube video, he stares for about a minute, then dumps a large rock into a lake. In another, he walks through the woods, picks something up, walks off camera, then the video cuts to him sitting alone at a fire. The entire rest of the video might as well be the TV Christmas yule log. It's nothing but branches burning. At the end of both videos, the words of the campaign Web site, gravel2008.us, dissolve onto the screen.

We reached out to the campaign today, and a campaign worker who answered the phone said they’re getting “swamped” about the videos. The worker also said the ads were made about three weeks ago, but wouldn’t say if the campaign is behind them. A campaign spokesman is supposed to be getting back to us. When he does, we’ll make sure to post the response.

And Obama isn't the only one with a busty admirer. Check out the Gravel girl here -- who says, "I'm voting for Mike Gravel, because he'll still respect me in the morning" -- on the Gravel YouTube channel -- not here: or here.

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Comments

Hmmm. He seems like a strange bird.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 11:35 AM)

Gravel's girl is nice, but not as hot as Obama's girl. Now if Hillary wants to put on a....scratch that. Can you imagine Mike Gravel having to give a speech on TV from the oval office and he just stares at the camera, is he trying to do some Star Trek style telepathy thing here or what? LOL, this is the weirdest and wildest campaign I have ever seen in my life. Gravel is showing the drug induced side of the left wing nutjobs. We really need that in our everyday lives?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 11:42 AM)

Weird guy, as weird as Mr Paul I spose.

bb (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 11:57 AM)

It is creepy and what is more creepy is that he is one of the more sane candidates for president. It must be desperation to make a splash (as in the rock thrown in the water).

Russell in Maryland (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 12:04 PM)

Next to Dubya, even Norman Bates looks normal.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 12:06 PM)

Jerry, it would be a nice bookend to the cocaine inspired silliness we have now. Actually, I'd say we don't need either in our everyday lives.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 12:09 PM)

I have to agree with Jon Stewart. I think you die seven days after watching this video.

Asad (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 12:53 PM)

Don't miss the point here. Gravel is not going to be president, and he's an unlikely target for any media coverage except for the very occasional "who is this guy" piece. These bizarre videos have generated a buzz (i.e. campaign worker getting swamped with calls) where before there was nothing. While it remains a distinct possibility that he's a complete nut, it also begs the question is he actually engaging in a clever (and cheap) albeit strange plan to generate earned media?

Mike in Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 1:31 PM)

This is what happens when you start a campaign two years early, all the nuts come out of the wood work . I can't believe the lower level canidates still have money to spend. I was hoping they would be weeded out by now. What a waste of money and time

derek (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 1:34 PM)

maybe it's artist value can be harnessed as an add in the "just say nope to dope" campaign, mr gravel it is obviously time to head to the repair shop and get the damper on your crack pipe adjusted

MK,MO (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 1:49 PM)

I have yet to watch it. I wonder if there is some symbolism attached to these actions?

Donna A. Reuter, Bremerton, WA (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 2:50 PM)

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire....Jack Frost nipping at your nose...."

Dorothy (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 3:04 PM)

Would you rather be lied to about John Kerry's war record or have promises made that will only be broken? Perhaps he's trying to get you to be interested and do some research. Oh yeah, that would require thinking as opposed to name calling which doesn't.

George Aguiar, Palmer, MA (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 5:06 PM)

Short and simple. How very effective it is. We all want to know more now don't we? Just maybe not about his positions.

Andrew, Des Moines, Iowa (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 5:17 PM)

Don't you guys get it? He's been ignored and ridiculed and laughed at...but he's perhaps the only candidate who's not completely scripted and a slave to convential wisdom. Look him up, people! He's a guy with new ideas. And in my eye these videos are a brilliant political statement. Back to the elements of politics, you might say.

Eric Ludy (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 5:58 PM)

No Eric. Previously he was just ignored. Now he's being ridiculed and laughed at.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 7:41 PM)

Gravel represents the looniest of the left, I am surprised they are not promoting this nut, he's a strange bird.

Erin Brown (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 1:57 AM)

GRAVEL APPEARS TO BE A GRUMPY OLD MAN THAT HASN'T TAKEN HIS MEDICATION!

C.ISLEY (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 8:29 AM)

Steve - good joke, too bad the puritans on the right don't watch Hitchcock!

Jim, Santa Cruz (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 10:49 AM)

Sounds like the second coming of Admiral Stockdale. GRIDLOCK!

Jarod, St Louis, MO (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 11:19 AM)

I think these two videos are a refreshing glimpse of Mr. Gravel as a man, as opposed to a fake and polished political snapshot without any real value... as modern campaign ads have become. Gravel just went from nowhere to prominence in my opinion. Brilliant.

John L, Hartford, CT (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 10:50 PM)

Gravel is inspiring. Read about his record before you dismiss him as a "low level candidate" and a nut.

John, Portland, OR (Sent Sunday, June 17, 2007 6:46 PM)

I think the really point he is trying to push is to entertain the people that watch youtube videos. For instance, a car commercial was made lately to point to the 'innane' videos that could be watched online, but people do watch them. Hence, the rock without a cheesy remark like 'Gravel will leave a mark' that drives people nuts he gives them the respect of believing in their intelligence and thus gives them the metaphor in a way they understand. Second, the girl video seems to suggest that all politicians these days will disrespect the people 'the day after' arriving in office. The man is married so he's not trying to make a statement to creep people out he's trying to get their attention in a way no one else can hold it by telling things in a way people might be able to hear.

John (Sent Monday, June 18, 2007 4:18 AM)

Kirkham (Sent Monday, June 18, 2007 4:19 AM)

Look I'm not the guy's #1 fan either but use a little common sense here people. How is a non-top tier candidate supposed to get the American people's attention? By standing there like an oaf like Chris Dodd? Of course not. By being different, new, and controversial.

Personally, Obama and Clinton sicken me. Politicians are all the same.

Felzor (Sent Monday, June 18, 2007 7:15 AM)

Okay Paul, but you've missed my point. This isn't the way to judge a candidate. We all have to grow up.

Eric Ludy (Sent Monday, June 18, 2007 7:43 PM)

he just released an interview explaining that the video wasnt his idea. 2 art teachers asked him if they could film him and he did what they said and he liked the idea of metaphorical videos where you could take what you want from seeing it.

Audax (Sent Tuesday, June 19, 2007 4:23 AM)

He does speak about the videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57GOsJNjRkY

These are simple videos with simple premises, it's art from artists who wanted to work with Gravel. They got their point across. Some people, sadly, are more interested in finding excuses to attack or dismiss.

D Harbinger (Sent Tuesday, June 19, 2007 6:27 AM)

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