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In the past, he was one of the best senators.
As Senator, Gravel became nationally known for his forceful but unsuccessful attempts to end the draft during the Vietnam War and for having put the Pentagon Papers into the public record in 1971 despite risk to himself.
Now it appears that the man may very well be ill. Do Democrats believe in treating ailing seniors as a butt for jokes? Espeically when they've contributed so much in the past?
"Lies return." - African proverb
by Night Train on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:43:56 AM PDT
[ Parent ]
like Chris Dodd, John Edwards, and Barack Obama as out-of-touch, then yes it is perfectly appropriate to mock, ridicule, and criticize said ailing senators.
Moreover, I disagree with the notion that he was one of our "best" Senators. While reading the Pentagon Papers into the public record was noble - it was no more noble than the NY Times and Washington Post's printing of the Pentagon Papers. And they did it first.
Gravel's advocacy for the lunatic national referendum is dangerous. National referendum laws would essentially allow Richard Scaife and his ilk to set the national agenda.
Look I'm sure Mike Gravel is a nice man, I'm sure he means well, but he behavior is harmful to efforts to make real, effective change. I have no sympathy for this old coot. None.
I really don't want an African-American as President...I think he would put too many minorities in positions over the white race. - Clinton voter
by Woodwards Friend on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:57:13 AM PDT
I didn't say I'd ever vote for him. But now the man may well be ill. Anyway, I really don't see how his current actions are doing any harm.
by Night Train on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:09:44 AM PDT
who is drawing votes away from solid progressives for the sake of idealogical purity is doing this nation harm, however slight.
If he is ill, that's tragic, but it is also his family's responsibility to get him help. When he enters (re-enters after 28 years) the public arena is public positions are fair game just like anyone else.
by Woodwards Friend on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:15:04 AM PDT
Compared to Stevens, either Murkowski, or Rep. Young, he's Bobby Kennedy. In youth and appearance as well as statesmanship.
Still, that says more about Alaska Goopers than it does about him. Think he could have an independent run against Palin in a couple of years and make it interesting? How about Lisa Murkowski? Could he get enough votes in Alaska to deny the EVs to McCain? Or to sink Obama's uphill chance in Alaska completely?
"...And I woulda got away with it, if it hadn't been for that meddling Kos!" ---attributed to Tom DeLay
by AdmiralNaismith on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 10:58:21 AM PDT
He's the custodian of his own reputation. It's not our fault if he burned through his own credibility. Zell Miller had some great accomplishments as a governor, after all, and don't get me started on how some people have changed their views on Bill Clinton since he opened his mouth about Obama.
Someone should have intervened with him a year ago, but no one did.
by brittain33 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:07:52 AM PDT
wide narrow
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