Mike Gravel

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 09:18:34 GMT

Gravel For President 2008

I'm Still In It!

Dear Friend,

At this point, I have become accustomed to many trying to silence my message to the American people -- the plain, simple, uncompromising truth. Nor does it come as any great surprise that the mainstream media is now putting words in my mouth. Not kind words, but bold-faced lies. Thursday evening at New Hampshire headquarters, on the most frigid night yet this winter, my campaign staff was dumbfounded to watch MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann announce I had dropped out of the race.

With only days left to go until the New Hampshire Primary, Olbermann's report was news to me!

Fortunately, there is nothing further from the truth. I have no intentions of leaving this race, and will continue to bring my message to the American people. I brought this to the attention of Mr. Olbermann, and you can see video of him retracting his statement posted on my site, gravel2008.us.

My schedule here in New Hampshire is full through primary day, and I will soon after be traveling to many other primary states. Nevada. Michigan. Florida. And beyond.

What message will I continue to share? It will include: Ending our corrupt, oppressive tax system. Making quality healthcare and education a basic, fundamental right for citizens. Ending our feverish addiction to oil and imperialist wars. Protecting our environment and precious ecosystems against short-sighted interests. Dismantling the military-industrial complex and our culture of fear. Not allowing those in power to exploit our fears and insecurities to their own gain, but building a society based on love and courage. Finally, I will continue to press for empowering the American people by enacting the National Initiative for Democracy.

I'm asking you today to help us turn the tables. New Hampshire is an opportunity for me to send a very pointed message to the media and those that might silence my message.

If you're in New Hampshire, please canvas for the day, hold signs at a busy traffic spot, or call up your friends and family who are still on the fence about who to support. If you're in New England, give our New Hampshire office a call, or join up with fellow supporters in the Granite State. The weather dipped to -15 degrees recently, but that has not chilled our spirit here.

Real change is not popular at first. It is not a soundbite you can digest in 30 seconds. It's gritty and raw and is going to upset some people. I have never shied away from a fight! Two decades ago Nixon wanted to throw me in jail for telling the American people the truth about Vietnam. Today I have been the first candidate to speak out against the dangers of war with Iran, and will continue to be the fiercest critic of our destructive foreign policy.

It doesn't matter whether the media deems my views as "unpopular" or "dangerous." It's time to tell the truth, and it's time for America to wake up. Some might lament or opine that my candidacy won't be appreciated in its own time. I say, the year is now 2008, and this is the time to make it resonate.

I hope to see everyone in New Hampshire at the polls on Tuesday.

And for those of you who live in other parts of the country, please make your most generous donation today.

I know you believe in this fight. Please help today.

Gratefully,

Mike Gravel

Donate and Show Your Support Today!

Learn More www.gravel2008.us

Campaign News & Updates

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:19:45 GMT

News & Blogs

Pro & Con: Mike Gravel
http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20071226/ELECTIONS/71210019/-1/rss01

New Myspace profile for Michigan Student supporters of Mike Gravel
http://www.myspace.com/emustudents4mikeg2008

Mike Gravel: Power to the People! (Updated Thrice)
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/12/26/20353/265

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Videos

These are videos not necessarily produced within the campaign, but by Mike's many supporters! We appreciate your support, and your artistic contributions. However, these videos are not endorsed by the campaign, just widely appreciated.

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Action Items

Mass Donation Day:

Gravel Resolution!

We Need a New Year's Resolution

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5UEpDn66Tw

NEW! January 1st Donation Day Graphics!

Pass these on any way you can!

This day is extremely important to the campaign, and with your help, we can make it huge!

SPREAD THE WORD!

Larger sizes of these graphics are available in the "My Photos" section of the

www.myspace.com/letgravelspeak page.

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NH Primaries: Share Your Videos On "Your Fate '08"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rokxz3D4zxE

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Ballot Info

Hello my name is Jennie and I’m the Ohio State Director for the Mike Gravel Presidential Campaign. He is running as a Democrat. He has been excluded from many of the debates for not raising enough money so not many people know his name or what he is for/against.

What I’m asking of you:

First off, this is for ballot use only. I'm trying to gather 1,000 signatures from Registered Democrats by January 4th. By signing this petition you are in NO WAY endorsing Mike Gravel and your vote WILL NOT go towards him unless you actually vote for him. This is for ballot use only so that people can see his name and choose whether to vote for him or not. Personally I think every candidate should have a chance to speak and everyone should see ALL of the candidates on the ballot. That is why I’m working around the clock to collect signatures from Ohio Registered Democrats before January 4th.

I'm urging you to please contact me at:

JENNIEOHIO@GRAVEL2008.US

If you are willing to sign and/or have family/friends/neighbors that are willing to sign please contact me ASAP and I will meet with you real quick at your home, a location of your choosing or i can email you the petition and you can email it back to me when finished. Whichever works best for you!

The petition is legit from the Secretary of States office.

I can email it to you if you wish but I will need the signatures in person.

Also, if you would like to speak on the phone before, please contact me through email so I can send you my phone number. I can also send you numerous pages of Mike Gravel info through email if you'd like.

I have been working around the clock even through this busy holiday season.

REMEMBER: By signing this petition it DOES NOT mean you are endorsing this candidate and it DOES NOT mean your vote will go to Mike Gravel. This is for ballot use only so everyone has a chance to vote for him, or not.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Jennie

JENNIEOHIO@GRAVEL2008.US

Ohio State Director for the Mike Gravel Presidential Campaign

www.gravel2008.us

www.NI4D.org

www.myspace.com/mikegravelforpresident

www.youtube.com/gravel2008

<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>

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Thank you for supporting, and spread the word!

Merry Christmas!

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 23:47:57 GMT

Gravel For President 2008

Merry Christmas!

Dear Friend,

Happy Holidays! I hope you are enjoying your holiday season. This past year has been quite an adventure for us. We've been all over the United States speaking to supporters and future supporters about the campaign. It's amazing to see how many people are tired of politics as usual and ready for a change. But I'm sure I don't have to tell you that!

This time of year always makes me think of family and friends. I also reflect on all the things that our family has to be grateful for. I am blessed with two wonderful children and four grandchildren. While I am so grateful for all that we have, this time of year also reminds me that there are many who are left wanting. Too many parents will be without their sons and daughters for another Christmas because they are in Iraq fighting George Bush's oil war. We have 46 million of our fellow Americans who will go through another Christmas without health insurance. And some of our nation's poorest citizens are taking on more than their fair share of our tax burden.

I want to change this. We need a President who is willing to make the tough decisions and initiate the changes that our country needs. I want to bring the troops home now, provide healthcare for all Americans with my Healthcare Security System and make the tax system in our country fair by abolishing the IRS and implementing the Fair Tax.

We also need to enact the National Initiative for Democracy (NI4D), an amendment to allow for federal ballot initiatives. The NI4D is vital, because the only way we are going to see the changes our country so desperately needs is when the people demand them.

I hope you will take a moment to visit www.nationalinitiative.us to learn more about the NI4D.

I know during the holidays budgets are always tight. Trust me; we have four grandchildren and plenty of nieces and nephews who believe that grandparents were made to spoil them. Still, I hope you will consider supporting my campaign with a small holiday donation of $10, $25 or $50. This would go a long way in helping to get my name on the ballot in the remaining states. It would also help to purchase more campaign materials for supporters or even bring the campaign to your state.

Finally, I want to send a personal thank you for all that you have done to help the campaign this year. I know that spreading the word, donating to the campaign, and volunteering can be a time-consuming and sometimes thankless jobs. I hope you know that none of this would be possible without you, and I appreciate all that you have done.

I want to wish you a wonderful holiday season. Stay warm, and enjoy this time with your family and friends. Remember: New Year's resolutions don't start until next year!

Love,

Mike and Whitney Gravel

P.S. I hope you will pass along this email with my holiday wishes to all your friends and family.

Donate and Show Your Support Today!

Learn More www.gravel2008.us

Thank you from the Gravel Campaign!

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 23:45:12 GMT

Gravel For President 2008
Press Release

We Want to Thank You!

Dear friend,

As 2007 winds to an end I'd like to take a moment to extend my appreciation and admiration to all of you who worked so hard to make the Mike Gravel for President campaign what it is today. We knew from the very beginning that this campaign would not make it through the year without your help. Nobody in Washington, D.C. gave us a fighting chance against the powerful political/corporate machines that we are up against. They thought that "politics as usual" would dominate. They thought we would have capitulated long ago. They thought that there was no room in this race for a candidate who dared to speak "truth to power."

They thought wrong.

With your help, we have exceeded everyone's expectations and have fought our way to the first primary of the election season.

Some special thanks are in order.

Thank you all for getting us into the June 3 CNN debate after they decided that we were not invited. You showed the world that a determined group of people will not let the corporate media tell us who our candidate will be.

Thank you for doing the same thing in August with the Human Rights Campaign debate.

Thank you for the hundreds of emails and phone calls of support that we receive each day that keep us going and for never letting us forget that you are standing with us.

And finally, thank you for the donations that have kept us going this year.

However, our work is not yet done. We are determined not to limp across that finish line. Let us end on a high note. Call your friends and remind them to turn out in their primaries and caucuses to vote for Mike Gravel.

Please make your most generous donation today -- no matter how small.

Wear your Gravel for President tee shirt with pride.

Have a safe holiday season, and keep fighting the good fight!

Sincerely,
Alex Colvin
Press Secretary
Mike Gravel for President 2008

Donate and Show Your Support Today!

Learn More www.gravel2008.us

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:14:26 GMT

Gravel For President 2008
Press Release

Important Campaign Update from
New Hampshire State Director

A Personal Note from Elliott Jacobson,

We are now entering a crucial phase in our campaign. Some of the other candidates, the television networks and the Democratic Party have conspired to keep the Senator from frankly and plainly laying out the dangers we all face as a nation. Despite this, thousands of new supporters have still surfaced in response to Mike's challenge of truth to those who hold the levers of power as well as those who, in aspiring to wield it, will say or do anything to get to the White House.

Let me tell you what we are doing in New Hampshire:

* We are mobilizing all of the college campuses to come out and show their support for Mike during the primary.

* We have saturated the state with yard signs and other promotional materials. This is being done in conjunction with newspaper advertisements that are being placed in New Hampshire's leading newspapers and a direct mail campaign targeting voters.

* We are putting together a news program about Mike that will be webcast over Mike's New Hampshire web site. This will feature segments such as "Mike Gravel Uncensored," along with upcoming events and campaign commercials. This will first be made available to New Hampshire voters and then will be streamed nationally.

If you would like to lend a hand in this effort, please contact me directly. If you would like to come out and show your support for Mike, he will be visiting New Hampshire between Dec. 18 and Dec. 20 and again from Dec. 26 to Jan. 8, so keep watching the national web site for his schedule.

The campaign is increasingly reliant upon the generous donations of supporters like you. Corporations, lobbies, elites and special interests don't want you to be aware that your small contribution individually can become a mighty flow of cash collectively.

Join Mike Gravel's "Truth to Power" campaign and see how it alters the outcome of the 2008 political landscape and prevents those who believe they can outspend the truth and buy their way into power.

Donate and Show Your Support Today!

Send Mike a contribution anywhere from $25 to the maximum $2,300.

Your support and donations to Mike's campaign will allow his voice to be heard. It will ensure that before any votes are cast the American people will know the truth about all of the candidates' positions that lie deep behind the fog of TV ads, scripted remarks, focus groups and purchased polls.

Thanks for your support,
Elliott Jacobson
New Hampshire State Director
(603) 624 0052
elliott@gravel08.us

P.S. U.S. voters already know how Mike took a huge personal risk by exposing the Pentagon's secret war in Vietnam and forcing an end to the draft. But let's not forget that Mike also stopped nuclear testing off the coast of Alaska, preventing an environmental catastrophe that may very well have destroyed our food supply in the North Pacific. He was also responsible for the construction of the Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline, which provides us with 20% of our energy and has reduced our dependence on foreign oil.

This is what Mike stands for now:

* An immediate and orderly withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq;

* A universal healthcare plan that will provide every American citizen with quality healthcare coverage;

* An end to the war against vets by making sure that all of their needs (both physical and psychological) are fully funded; and

* Equal rights (including marriage) for all Americans regardless of race, sexual orientation or gender identification.

Spread the word by sending this out to 10 friends, family members, acquaintances or business associates - anyone who you think may be interested in Mike's message. Ask them to visit Mike's web site and sign up!

And, please, make your most generous donation today.

Learn More www.gravel2008.us

Forward email

Official Website Info (and other sites)

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:37:04 GMT

Just an update about the official website, www.gravel2008.us. It is currently undergoing a new makeover to Drupal, which is a "content management platform." The forum is in this format right now.

I encourage you to check out other official sites:

Digg (NEW!)
Myspace
Youtube
Facebook
Virb
Livejournal
MyGrito
Second Life

If you don't have a profile in any of those networking sites, feel free to make one and add the Gravel profiles!

Thanks!

Two Days Until Senator Gravel's Alternate Debate in Las Vegas!

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 06:46:09 GMT

Gravel For President 2008

Two Days Until Senator Gravel's
Alternative Debate in Las Vegas!

In two days Senator Mike Gravel will hold his Alternative Presidential Debate live from Las Vegas, Nevada, in the Paris Hotel and Casino. The event will kick off at 4:30 p.m. PT (7:30 p.m. ET) the evening of November 15.

Be sure to check back with us on the day of the event, because we will be posting a direct link to the streaming video on our Gravel2008.us web site.

As most of you already know, Mike has been excluded from the DNC-sanctioned Debate in Las Vegas, because he has not raised $1 million. But Mike is not taking this lying down. Instead, he is hosting his own important event that is already generating media attention.

Unlike our previous Debate in Philly, this time, we will be limited in the number of people who will be able to watch the Senator live from the venue. The first 30 people who respond to this email will be able to attend. We wish it could be more, but we're trying to keep costs lean. Send your messages of support and your response to lasvegasdebate@gravel2008.us. To be fair to other supporters, please only respond if you are sure you can make it. While there, meet Mike and cheer him on as he responds in real time to the moderator's questions and to the soundbites given by the other candidates. There will be no politics as usual here. Instead, Mike will be speaking honestly and candidly about the issues that matter most to Americans. No double talk! No skirting controversial subjects!

Later that evening, Mike will be speaking at the Clark County Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner, considered to be one of the most important political events of the primary season.

Keep Us In The Fight

So far, we have been able to raise $10,000 for this event. However, we need your help now more than ever. We need to raise at least another $10,000 to keep us going strong. Senator Gravel has run a lean campaign, relative to the other candidates, who are raising tens of millions of dollars from special interest groups and lobbyists.

Please help Senator Gravel by making a donation now!

We've already made a difference. We can change the Democratic platform. Let's keep the pressure on.

For more details on the Gravel Campaign, call the national office at (703) 652-4698 or email lasvegasdebate@gravel2008.us.

Learn More www.gravel2008.us

Forward email

Gravel Fights Back Against Corporate Censorship

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:56:28 GMT

Gravel For President 2008

Gravel Fights Back
Against Corporate Censorship

Fresh on the heels of MSNBC's exclusion of Senator Mike Gravel from last week's Philadelphia debate, we now hear that CNN has cut the Senator from its November 15 debate in Las Vegas. Like MSNBC, CNN's justification comes down to one ugly factor: MONEY.

CNN says Mike must meet three criteria:

* Form a federal exploratory committee and officially declare his candidacy. (He did.)

* Poll at 1% or above. (He does.)

* Raise at least $1 million in individual contributions since January 1, 2007. (He has not.)

Once again, MONEY decides who gets to participate in America's political debates.

But is this the only reason why Mike is being excluded? And why isn't the Democratic National Committee standing up for him and our party's tradition of fighting for the underdog? These debates are sanctioned by the Democratic Party, and this is a terrible reflection on the national party.

The fact is, Mike angered powerful people when he confronted Senator Clinton over Iran during last month's debate. Up to that moment the Clinton juggernaut was rolling over everyone. Now Mike is paying the price for speaking truth to power.

Fighting Back

Members of the Gravel Team are already in Las Vegas setting up another Alternative Debate like the one in Philadelphia. Our webcast from Philly attracted thousands of viewers and generated news coverage in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer and countless blogs. Ustream.tv, which streamed the event live across the Internet, has promised to feature our Vegas Alternative Debate, which is sure to attract even more viewers and media buzz.

Our Clark County Director Becky Isais has reached out to Nevada Democrats, who have told us in no uncertain terms that they will treat Mike the same as all of the other candidates. In addition, Mike will be participating in the state party's annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner, which follows the evening's debate. This dinner is widely recognized as Nevada's largest political event of the year.

It's clear that Democrats in Nevada want to hear from Mike. Now he needs your help.

If 80 people just give . . .

$250 -- We can secure a spectacular Alternative Debate venue.

$100 -- We can stage and promote the entire event.

$50 -- We can plaster Las Vegas with 5,000 posters supporting Mike's fight against
corporate censorship.

So here's your chance to help Mike with a donation and show corporate media that they can't control our democracy. If we all join Mike's Fight, we can make a difference.

For more information, call the national office at (703) 652-4698 or email lasvegasdebate@gravel2008.us.

Learn More www.gravel2008.us

Russert’s UFO and other Debate Mysteries

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 07:22:42 GMT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-mike-gravel/russerts-ufo-and-other-d_b_70662.html
Posted October 31, 2007 | 06:20 PM (EST)

A few thoughts on last night's debate:

* "Where's Mike?" Isn't it amazing that GE and NBC could suddenly drop me from the debates and none of my opponents would even comment on it? It's like Stalin's Russia when someone would just stop showing up for work but no one in the office dared to ask; "Hey, what ever happened to Ivan?" What does it say about the state of American politics and the Democratic Party when our presidential candidates don't have the guts to question a TV network?

* Sticks and Carrots? Great to see Edwards and Obama finally challenge Clinton for supporting the march toward war with Iran. For months I've been educating the public about this phony crisis. My many Huffington posts and my "I'm ashamed of you, Hillary" moment in the last debate got me in big trouble with the power elite. But last night's Hillary-bashing rang false. Was it based on genuine disagreement or just political calculation? Obama, after all, refused to vote on the Kyl-Lieberman amendment. And last night I still heard a lot of tough talk from almost all the candidates about never allowing Iran to go nuclear, keeping all options on the table and "sticks and carrots." Sticks and carrots? Maybe a good way to start diplomacy would be to show the Iranians some respect and stop referring to them as donkeys that must be bribed or beaten into compliance.

* Tim Russert's UFO. Once again Russert assumed his role as the establishment's Hatchetman. Last debate, he sandbagged me with the bankruptcy question. This time he clocked Dennis with the UFO. When is Russert going to ask Hillary about the billing records or the cattle futures during a debate? Russert is America's most overrated journalist (Wolf Blitzer's a close second). Russert failed to challenge administration flacks in the lead up to Iraq (remember, he was one of Scooter Libby's go-to journalists) and now he's joined the drum beat for war with Iran. Last night he repeatedly pestered the candidates: "Will you pledge that when you're president, Iran will not develop nukes?" Was that a question? A twisted mantra? Or was it a demand for a profession of faith that we need to bomb Iran? Talk about trying to undermine diplomacy. Enough of Tim Russert!

Last night's debate showed that my campaign has reshaped the national debate about Iran. This is exactly what the warmongers and profiteers feared -- an aggressive opposition with a national platform. And this is why I wasn't invited last night.

But I'm still the race and I've been invited to other debates. I hope that if another network suddenly decides to exclude me, maybe I'll get some support from the candidates who are now following my lead.

URGENT Message From Senator Mike Gravel

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:08:37 GMT

Urgent Message
From Senator Mike Gravel

Monday, October, 29, 2007

Friends,

Corporate censorship has taken over. I have been excluded unfairly from the MSNBC Debate at Drexel University this Tuesday.

I won't have it!

Join me for this truly historic event...

I am broadcasting LIVE via WebCast tomorrow from Philadelphia across from the debate site at Drexel University and I will be answering all of the same debate questions that Hillary and the others are answering at the MSNBC debate. That WebCast will be LIVE at 6pm PT, 7pm MT, 9pm ET at http://Gravel2008.us/LIVEDEBATE (bookmark this page).

If you live in the Philadelphia area, I will be at World Cafe Live (http://www.worldcafelive.com) with hundreds of supporters and anti-war protestors to protest GE (the owner of MSNBC and NBC) and corporate media censorship in this election! Join me there - doors open at 8:30pm ET.

Even if you have donated to my campaign, I urge you to donate again. I need you to take a stand with me today.

Yours in gratitude,

Senator Mike Gravel

Senator Gravel To Broadcast Alternate Debate

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:26:47 GMT

Senator Gravel
To Broadcast Alternate Debate

Gravel Supporters Nationwide,

If you live within driving distance of Philadelphia, you can help former Senator and current Democratic Presidential Candidate Mike Gravel protest MSNBC's arbitrary decision to exclude him from the Democratic debate it will be hosting tonight at Drexel University.

After originally making arrangements to include all the Democratic candidates, MSNBC (owned by General Electric) reversed itself and created questionable criteria apparently devised to exclude the most outspoken critic of the military-industrial complex. Despite having met all but the most arbitrary fundraising requirements, Senator Gravel has been shut out of the debate.

In lieu of this, Senator Gravel will be speaking at the World Café Live (3025 Walnut St. in Philadelphia) at an alternate Democratic Debate. Participants will have the opportunity to watch the debate with the Senator and listen to his views as the evening unfolds. Afterward, the Senator will take questions from the audience until midnight.

The entire event will be broadcast at Gravel2008.us live from the World Café starting at 8:30pm ET.

We can't stop corporate censorship by MSNBC, but we have the power to let the American people learn about the candidates -- even the ones General Electric wants to silence.

Earlier in the day, the Philadelphia Regional Antiwar Network is sponsoring a peace rally a few short blocks away at 34th and Chestnut. Senator Gravel signs will be available there (or bring your own!!) and many of the rally participants will be joining us inside.

See map here:http://maps.live.com/

If you need more information on the event, please contact our office via email at phillydebates@gravel2008.us.

Finally, since the powers that be now require that Senator Gravel raise $1 million in order to participate in the debates, please make a donation to the campaign by clicking on this link or by calling 703-652-4698. With your help we can stop corporate censorship and ensure that the American people are allowed to hear Senator Gravel.

Thank you for your support,

Team Gravel

Phillydebates@gravel2008.us

Learn More www.gravel2008.us

Senator Mike Gravel on October 30th

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:46:37 GMT

Because Mike Gravel was shut out of the Democratic Debate on October 30th, he has scheduled an appearance at Penn State both the day before the debate and during the debate. Stephen Colbert was invited to attend and debate by Sen. Gravel's campaign, however no word on his attendance yet. A video was posted on Senator Gravel's official youtube channel regarding the event.

Please check out Mike's official site and donate to his campaign.

Also, if you are interested, check out Sen. Gravel's official youtube channel and his official myspace page.

Feel free to contact me or ask Mike a question directly.

Thanks for supporting and don't forget to get the word out!

gravel2008.us

Why NBC and the DNC Want Me Out of the Debates

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 02:36:13 GMT

Why NBC and the DNC Want Me Out of the Debates

In the past year, I have attended 11 national Democratic debates of which two were sponsored by corporate media giant NBC. However, last week, the network suddenly conjured up arbitrary polling and fundraising requirements specifically designed to exclude me. None of the previous debates I attended held such requirements.

When my staff called NBC directly to find out why I was now barred from attending, Chuck Todd, NBC news' political director, told us that there were three criteria we did not meet, namely that I had not campaigned in New Hampshire and/or Iowa at least 14 times in the past year, that I was not polling at 5% and that I hadn't raised $1 million.

It is abundantly clear that NBC just wants me out of the race. This was made evident by the fact that NBC did not even inform me of its arbitrary criteria before making the decision to stifle my campaign. NBC's Todd waited until 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, to inform my staff that I was not invited to the Oct. 30 debate at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Since I announced my candidacy for the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States on April 17, 2006, I have certainly traveled to New Hampshire and Iowa at least 14 times. And, according to a recent CNN poll, I am tied with Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich and Chris Dodd.

NBC claims I haven't raised enough money to qualify. I'm proud of the fact that I don't collect millions from special interests (or fugitives like Norman Hsu). The reason why Senator Hillary Clinton seems to have a fundraising scandal every month is because money has corrupted our democracy. By stifling my voice on the basis of fundraising dollars, NBC is reinforcing the power of money over our national political discussion and our freedom.

But why has NBC suddenly come up with "requirements" designed to exclude me from the debate?

NBC's decision is proof that our corporate media do not want a genuine debate over our impending war with Iran. During the last debate I was the only one to aggressively confront Senator Clinton over her vote to label the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. Had I not brought up the subject, seasoned NBC commentator Tim Russert, the moderator of the Sept. 26 debate, would not have even asked about it.

Most Americans still don't appreciate the gravity of that vote and they don't understand that our government is intentionally raising roadblocks to diplomacy. Corporate media have once again failed to investigate how Bush and a compliant congress have set us on the warpath. Instead the media simply parrots the demonization of Iranian President Ahmadinejad and the administration's unproven accusations against Iran. NBC and the other corporate media have jumped on the war bandwagon and they are determined to shut up anyone who tries to stop it.

The fact that NBC is owned by General Electric, one of the world's leading military contractors, is frightening and certainly smacks of censorship directed at the most outspoken critic of the influence that the military-industrial complex holds over this great nation. In the past decade, GE has benefited financially from the global war on terrorism and currently holds almost $2 billion in military contracts.

So I ask that anyone, who is as concerned as I am about the power of the mainstream media and the military-industrial complex, speak out in support of my campaign today. And, even if you support another candidate, surely you understand the implications of NBC's decision for our democracy and the future peace and security of our nation.

And since the powers that be now require that I raise $1 million in order to participate in the debates, please make a donation to my campaign. Unlike my fellow candidates, I am not focused on raising million of dollars; I am focused on fixing representative government. Help us reach that arbitrary threshold, and I will continue to fight for democracy and peace.

Senator Mike Gravel

Official Mike Gravel Livejournal Now Working

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 02:29:15 GMT

Hey everyone,

This is the Official Mike Gravel Livejournal. We'll be posting articles and newsletters by Mike Gravel and his campaign here so you can hear his voice. Feel free to contact me or add me as a friend.

Official Website

Donate!

-Mike Gravel Campaign

Mike Gravel

Campaign News & Updates

___________________________

Attack

Let the People Decide

Mega Mike

Gravel Commercial Idea

___________________________

Mass Donation Day:Gravel Resolution!

We Need a New Year's Resolution

NEW! January 1st Donation Day Graphics!

SPREAD THE WORD!

___________________________

NH Primaries: Share Your Videos On "Your Fate '08"

___________________________

___________________________

Thank you for supporting, and spread the word!

Merry Christmas!

Thank you from the Gravel Campaign!

Official Website Info (and other sites)

Two Days Until Senator Gravel's Alternate Debate in Las Vegas!

Gravel Fights Back Against Corporate Censorship

Russert’s UFO and other Debate Mysteries

URGENT Message From Senator Mike Gravel

Senator Gravel To Broadcast Alternate Debate

Senator Mike Gravel on October 30th

Why NBC and the DNC Want Me Out of the Debates

Official Mike Gravel Livejournal Now Working

Mass Donation Day:

Gravel Resolution!