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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Not my party: Gravel bolts

Posted: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 9:54 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:

But he was the LIFE of the party! As NBC/NJ’s Carrie Dann writes, One-time Democratic candidate Mike Gravel is leaving the Democratic Party, accusing it of "work[ing] in tandem with the corporate interests that control what we read and hear in the media." Greener pastures await, he says, with his joining today of the Libertarian Party, where he hopes to continue his presidential bid.

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While he should be respected for the conviction of his own ideals, maintaining a presidential bid that has less than ZERO chance of being successful, is akin to Nader's ego driven presidential pursuits.  Gravel, retire to a nice sunny place in Florida.
They sure are going to have a lot of independents in the Senate by the time this is over.

Gravel is right though....
the corporations do run the congress, not the people.
Gravel never connected with voters.

As a life-long lunch bucket Democrat with six kids under my roof, I'll vote for McCain over Obama.

Talk about connected: Who would I rather "drink a beer with?", Obama or McCain? Answer: McCain

Who would I "rather see on TV in my living room over the next four years?", Obama or McCain? Answer: McCain
Mike who??
Strange.  Months ago I took an online quiz that matched you up with a candidate. My number one match was Mike Gravel.  As a registered Dem, I cannot in good conscience vote for Hillary.  So that leaves McCain?  Not in a million years.  Now I'll have someone I can put a check by.  Thanks Mike
Gravel has a good point, the clintons have turned this election cycle in to a three ring circus, bill and hillary encapsulate everything that is wrong with american politics all the while screaming change, clinton and mccain are cast from the 'business as usual mold', both of them are nothing more than figure heads for the corporate trash that owns washington, and they are being force fed to the american people, their agendas are one in the same, to carry on the wealthy elitist plan to have a 2 class america where a handful of people posses all the riches, and the masses are nothing more than destitute slaves.
Does this mean a Superdelegate is now out of play?
Who's Mike Gravel?
Pat in NY-Please not Florida...
Hope the wacky youtube videos continue.
As soon as I get a day off during the week I'm unregistering from the Democratic Party and becoming a Green. I think alot of people are disgusted with the two party system.
And will this be a sign of the times??

I'm thinking quite a few of us may in fact give the Libs a harder look.

Obama 08
To once again quote Dick Vader; "So"?
who?
For Gravel to really think that he could win it shows how lack of a reality he can have.  I don't know if there were any issues that he brought to light that other candidates have picked up.  There was nothing remarkable about him except his comic stature during the debates.  Maybe he should run with Nader and the two of them could do nothing together!
I LOVE Mike Gravel!  He added that crotchety old grandfather feel to the race.  I truly respect and appreciate this principled man and wish him the best.  And being that I live in Utah, I always support the alternative candidate in the national elections.  i would rather my vote influence campaign finance allocations than toss it aside.
The way Slick Willie and the Hill are going, a two party system will remain: Republicans and Libertarians. Her race baiting tactics know no end. Remember all you South Texas voters, she is against drivers licenses for illegals (and has no plans for amnesty). So once she gets done promoting the racial divide to get the white vote, I'm sure she will move on down the line to try and secure the majority vote from Texas and that may leave you out.

And on the blog about the credibiity question to Chelsea, what is the big concern about Hillary's credibility? She has none - absolutely none.
Mike Gravel & Ron Paul, the grandpa ticket!!
Mike Gravel is 100% correct but it's stuff Americans have learned to tune out.

And exactly who in their right mind votes for someone on the basis of whether or not they are someone the voter would like to go drinking with? Are you electing a president or a fantasy drinking pal?
Mike Gravel was marginalized by his own party. He was ignored by the media who wouldn't let him (and Dennis Kucinch) into their staged, packaged, "debates"
No wonder he's leaving the Democratic Party


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