Gravel campaign on new videos

Posted: Friday, June 15, 2007 12:18 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro

Earlier we told you about the strange new Gravel videos. The campaign got back to us, and it turns out the campaign is behind them.

Here's what Press Secretary Shaun Alexander Colvin, said:

"It’s a personal statement rather than a usual political statement that you get from candidates. This message and this candidate are not just about rhetoric and promises or about being verbose. It's about a candidate looking you in the eye. He’s laying himself out, exposing himself, showing who he is." "He’s a man who’ll look you in the eye. He could’ve been standing in the park making political statements and promises and such, and he’s doing just the opposite. His message is out there. He’s articulated it for a year. He’s standing by his word. And giving you a chance to see who he is.

"The senator has very much an artistic spirit."

VIDEO: Watch the Gravel video on YouTube

Colvin, who was a film major in college, then put on his film major hat.

"The beginning part of it is very interpretational. In metaphor, it would be the rock in the water and the ripple effect of the senator and his message and who he is, a man with an idea, who is little by little, day by day communicating that message.

"We are seeing a ripple effect from here in our offices in Arlington to communities across the country for his platform on Iraq and economic fairness. That metaphor is how a man spreads his message."

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Comments

I'm really glad that Gravel doesn't have a snowball's chance of winning the nomination. I wasn't going to vote for him under any circumstances before this. If he were still in elected office I would now probably consider donating to a primary challenger.

John Doe, The Peanut Gallery (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 12:37 PM)

I see a lot of metaphors. Gravel, rock -- get it. They rock (Gravel) makes a splash. Or maybe "a rock" = Iraq and he tosses it in the water to sink or swim and then walks away.

Russell in Maryland (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 12:41 PM)

A film major? he must have been the one behind the horse head in the godfather.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 12:45 PM)

LMAO..lol Russell you are soooo funny. I admire your ability to figure that puzzle out!

H P Boston (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 12:46 PM)

A man spreads his message by exposing himself! ugh!

H P Boston (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 12:48 PM)

That should be the captial 'R' ripple effect... as in the senator has been hitting the cheap wine in the brown paper bag a little too much. The only metaphor I see is that the video shows no one watching the ripples except Gravel himself... much like no one is paying attention to anything else about his campaign.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 1:09 PM)

he reminds of Vincent Price in one of his cheesy horror movies.

bb (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 1:21 PM)

Is Gravel's ad campaign crazy?

Crazy like a fox. He's a candidate that practically nobody has heard of, since the news focuses on Clinton, Obama, Edwards, etc. (on the Democratic side).

And now we're all talking about him! My bet is that his website gets more visits today as a result of this than at any prior point in this campaign.

K Ashford (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 1:41 PM)

please mister gravel, back away from the crack pipe

MK,MO (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 1:42 PM)

If the point is supposed to be that he has articulated his vision and now it is up to us to choose? Somewhere over the rainbow, pack up the kids Martha we are out of here! Much the same way as the Senator.

Tinstar Arcadia Fl. (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 2:01 PM)

after a couple tabs of acid it starts to make since

MK,MO (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 2:06 PM)

"Life is a rock...but the radio rolled me...."--Reunion

Dorothy (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 3:01 PM)

making waves! go Gravel. i get it.

j s , mountain view, CA (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 3:33 PM)

Could this be the last face Tony Soprano ever saw before everything went black?

AB, New York, NY (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 4:07 PM)

So, I take it that none of you like the commercial or Gravel?

I like the commercial and I enjoy Gravel. I would like for him to be the president. He seems to be the least full of insincerity of all the candidates (Republican or Democrat) who exist thus far. During the Democratic debates all of the candidates but Gravel appear to be on stage saying, "I really want to be president." Gravel is the only one on stage who is there because he ought to be president.

Jay, Warsaw Indiana (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 4:47 PM)

Who are these people commenting with such ignorance? Have they even listened to Mike Gravel's message yet? I doubt it. Our political system is in shambles and these people insult those that are could actually change it back to respecting the constitution. Well, it's apparent, that in a democracy, people get the leadership they deserve. America deserves the losers we got from the basis of these losers that have posted these comments. Check Gravel out before you make your hasty judgments.

JM (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 4:47 PM)

Fricking awesome! In the meantime:

The Clintons Cash Out

Bill and Hillary Clinton aren’t taking any chances this time. In a move to make sure their personal finances don’t become an issue in Sen. Clinton's presidential campaign, the couple is liquidating their blind trust – valued at between $5 million and $25 million – and leaving the proceeds in cash, according to reports in both The New York Times and Washington Post.

The Clintons acted after learning that the trust contained controversial investments like oil and drug companies and military contractors. The move could cost the Clintons money, since they'll have to pay "substantial amounts" in capital gains taxes and are giving up the potentially higher returns from stocks for the safer, but generally lower returns from savings accounts.

But it helps them avoid any potential conflict of interest charges during Hillary Clinton's presidential run – and steers them clear of a repeat of the Whitewater scandal that dogged them during Mr. Clinton's presidency.

Jane Doe (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 4:51 PM)

I do not like to over analyze. No one was following him. Strange ad appears. He's on all the news stations. He then gives you his message. (If he said I'm the guy that looks you in the eye, who would have picked that up?)

Jon, New York (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 4:52 PM)

Loved it! The answer is staring you idiots right in the face. I liked the ripple ananolgy, because that is what this extraordinary man is trying to do. To start a true, honest discourse in this nation, although too many people are blind to it.

Johnny Webster, Westport, Ky (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 4:58 PM)

What scares me the most are these messed up comments about someone offering himself up as a public servant (President or soldier). I'm willing to bet that none of you commenters have ever offered to even help in your communities, let alone, your country. If you have, how would you like it if someone came up to you afterwords and spit in your face? With such quick ridicule and ignorant generalizations, why would any quality human being ever give a sh*t about any of you.

Lawrence Albert (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 5:01 PM)

MSM is scared of people like Senator Gravel.
MSM wants to keep the status quo.
Gravel wants to make some major changes.

hillary is a fence sitter (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 5:08 PM)

Well pardon us all to hell, Lawrence, nobody knew the ad was your creation.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 5:17 PM)

The uninformed here trashing the honorable Senator Gravel should do some research into how much this man has done for the US. But then again TRUE honesty, honor and morality are NOT valued in Bu$hCo's fascist 'Merica.

T. Jefferson (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 5:23 PM)

Okay, so the video is a little different. In America, no one can sit still and be quiet long enough NOT to talk incessantly and jump around making noise. Too many people who have been brainwashed that they have ADD and just can't "get" the profound ideas.

But Mike Gravel's message and even his presence in the Democrat's presidential "race" and also in Ron Paul's message and presence in the Republican's race, is that a LOT of the American people are disgusted with all levels of our government, and we want not just something NEW, but we want a return to our Constitutional basis of LAW.

There is no legislation not bought and paid for in our deteriorating system of government; the legislators are corrupt and double talking; the president has too much power and power not designated him under the Constitution. The Supreme Court makes decisions for the entire country they don't have the legal jurisdiction to make.

Mike Gravel and Ron Paul are both Constitutionalists and saying exactly what a lot of people are saying: government is corrupt and broken, and we can either undertake some drastic remediation, or the whole system will fail, and along with it, our Republic, our individual freedoms, our economy, and our whole way of life.

God bless Mike Gravel and Ron Paul for having the COURAGE and CONVICTION to stand up and be jeered by those too ignorant to realize the danger we are in as a society. Not many men can stand for something anymore. For goodness sake, let them deliver. It is not as if the system could possibly get any worse off by electing decent, Constitutionalists over the same old rich, corrupt, two-sides-of-their-mouths-talking "first tier" candidates.

Have COURAGE AND CONVICTION yourselves, America! Vote for someone and something that really brings us out of this dark, pessimistic, going-nowhere-but-down age.

Karen Rockwell (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 5:26 PM)

By the end of the ad, the ripples had ended. So too, I believe, with Senator Gravel. I just hope Ron Paul has more successful ripples.

Rick in Virginia (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 5:32 PM)

What I saw was a guy tossing a kinda large rock in the waters edge so some kid can stubb his toe on it. Somebody should make him go pick it up and put it back were he found it.

Ron cornelius, Tulsa, ok. (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 6:07 PM)

Gravel is only one of two men in this whole damn process willing to tell us how it is, instead of what we think we want to hear! Ron Paul and Gravel should get to the general elections...let the other idiots stay at home where they belong.
The masses are blinded by the light and it wont be long before those in power do something that will cause us all to go down the tube with them. TO HELL with them all who dont know about the truth! Where is the revolution when you need one!

Scott, San Diego (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 6:14 PM)

VANDALISM.

JEB (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 6:19 PM)

A title for this video-"On Holden Pond"-play/movie

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 6:40 PM)

Mr Gravel has been speaking out against the institution of corruption and arrogance in Washington for years....He, amongst all the other candidates is telling the truth...OUR government is broken and it will take a significant leader to get us back to use the constitution again!!!!!!

michael reukauf, levittown pa (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 6:49 PM)

Next, Gravel will do an impressionist version of Munch's 'the Scream'.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 7:02 PM)

He will get my vote!

JT, Sierra Vista, AZ (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 7:12 PM)

Karen, George Bush was elected because he had "courage" and "conviction". The American public is ready for someone who is knowledgable and diplomatic. Gravel, unfortunately, embarrasses himself when he goes on these long tirades; he mirrors Bush when Bush speaks of Democrats and their defeatist attitudes.

Joe Don, Austin, Tx. (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 7:14 PM)

Everbody wants to vote for a 'winner'...why then do we all seem to keep losing?

Keep drinking the kool-aid and choosing the 'lesser of two evils' the MSM provides you as candidates.

The system is working so well why should we change?

David in Wisconsin (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 7:27 PM)

As one of the "idiots" who made fun of the ad, I would like to comment that this was a political ad... with the candidate just staring at the camera. If you all want to give it artistic kudos, fine. But in terms of political effectiveness, it isn't. You have to play the game within certain boundaries - you can't show up to a soccer tournament with a basketball. This one, by political standards, was simply weird. Yes we're all talking about it, but in the same way you just stop and stare at the really bad traffic accident. Remember, everyone was talking about Admiral Stockdale, too, after his vice presidential debate. This ad is interesting (i.e., discussion worthy) only for how bizarre it is.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 7:38 PM)

I agree with Rick. I hope Ron Paul has better luck. He seems to know exactly what he's talking about. Everyone else seems to have rehearsed lines.

Nathan LaHue, Concord NH (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 8:02 PM)

Gravel a Constitutionalist oh yeah - when slavery and the 2/3 law was inscribed in the Constitution. Mr. Reject from the Dharma Initiative is a privatization-czar, another out-of-touch millionaire nut job. Gravel's the Dem's right-wing nut-job and Kucinich (another alternative candidate for the cultish), whom I volunteered for in 04, is the left-wing nut-job. Obama's the only sensible progressive who isn't a millionaire and isn't taking money from PACs or federal lobbyists. Obama's the first presidential candidate to file suit to get the right to go back to Public Campaign Financing in the final election in 08 if his opponent will also. Obama wanted to only do public campaign financing in the primary but Hillary immediately snarked "heh heh heh no way Hussein, not with my $ machine!" and now she's getting beat there too. She's gotten a quarter of a mil already from lobbyists alone. Obama's matched that with donations like mine, $25 from a disabled fixed-income woman of color who worked 25 years but now rations $50/week after bills to survive. Get real. Go Obama! It's time for someone brilliant with his feet on the ground and reaching for the stars, to bring out the best in us.

VCubed, Alameda, CA (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 8:30 PM)

Mike Gravel is awesome and original. I am so sick of un-human polish. He adds a much needed expansion of the debate we as a society are having.

Daniel Hettenbach, Tillamook, Oregon (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 8:46 PM)

I like the video. Senator Gravel doesn't have my primary vote yet, but he certainly has my respect. I'm heartened to know that there's someone like him capable of abstract thinking that gets to influence the direction of the United States government.

Alexander Wilson, Denver, CO (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 9:33 PM)

I give the man credit and it just shows what options you have when you are last place in a primary. Go Mike Go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Justin Zaker, Hadley, Pennsylvania (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 10:14 PM)

Show some respect! If its wasnt for Mike Gravel you or your kids would be drafted into this illegal war today. Learn how Gravel was the only one with guts enough to stand up by himself against congress and executed a 5 month filibuster to end the vietnam draft... if it wasnt for Gravel how many more would be dead today in the iraq war? Gravel by far has the best plans for the United State, You OWE Gravel 5 mins of your time to look into him... rather than watch 5 mins for him to tell you how super great he thinks he is.

kyeot (Sent Friday, June 15, 2007 11:37 PM)

Watching a crackling fire or watching ripples from a splashed rock contains as much information as any presidential debate between a bunch of pompous pandering assholes. Gravel's message to me means more than any prefabricated answer or slicked back image on tv.

T Kovis Nevada (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 12:29 AM)

How does one generate buzz with almost no budget? This isn't a bad way to start!

I found the videos bizarre, but as long as Gravel keeps giving 'em hell in the debates, I will stand by him. The same goes for Ron Paul, and even Kucinich (for having the stones to go after Cheney and the Iraqi Oil Law).

Support fringe presidential candidates. The more they can force the other candidates and the media to start dealing with the truth everyone is afraid to speak, the more America wins.

Todd in California (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 1:00 AM)

Mea Culpa, I was commenting on the video not the man. I think he along with most of the democratic candidates would make a great president. But at the end of the stare/rock video what is the significance of the man coming out of the woods and following behind him in the distance? I thought it was pretty sinister looking.

Russell in Maryland (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 1:02 AM)

Novelty candidate...

Andre, Baltimore Maryland (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 1:38 AM)

I support Mike Gravel for president. He's for real change. I look at it like this. Gravel is offering the solutions that we will probably eventually get to... 50 years from now at the current rate. Aye... Let's just go ahead and do it. Let's evolve.

Weirdbiz, Brooklyn, NY (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 2:03 AM)

I truely hope that the American people can pull there heads out of there backsides long enough to completely understand the ramifications of another "failure to enguage" at the polls in 2008!
We can not afford to have another election fail us!
Take the privilage to vote very seriously,...many people have given their lives to give you that opportunity.
Good Luck America! Your going to need it!!

D.F. Akin Mayville, New York (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 7:41 AM)

I've known about Mike Gravel since the late 1960s when he was in the Senate. Believe me, this is the first time that I've seen him where he hasn't said anything stupid.

Jim, Shaker Heights, Ohio (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 10:25 AM)

The video shows that Gravel is an idealist and a dreamer and those are not bad things to be. But what he lacks is the ability to translate those ideas into practical action. In order to achieve change, you have to be both an idealist and a pragmatist. In a democracy, those who are unwilling to compromise achieve nothing. The only candidate who combines idealism and vision with pragmatism is Barack Obama. He is our only hope for achieving significant change.

Joe Rowe, Richardson, Texas (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 10:58 AM)

"Splash"--A movie

Dorothy (Sent Saturday, June 16, 2007 11:05 AM)

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