MyDD :: An Idea: How about Gravel for AK-Sen in 2008?

An Idea: How about Gravel for AK-Sen in 2008?

by NuevoLiberal, Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 10:36:13 PM EST

I was pleased to see former US Senator and current Presidential candidate Mike Gravel dish out some raw straight talk at the debate tonight.

The idea then occurred to me that perhaps he should run for US Senate from Alaska, once the primary season for the Presidential race is nearly over (and as expectd, barring a major miracle, Gravel is not headed towards the nomination), as we could certainly use his unfiltered talk in the US Senate.

Crossposted from DKos.

I checked and found that Ted "The internet is a series of tubes" Stevens' seat is up next year, and he apparently intends to seek re-election.

While Gravel's presence plays a vital role in the Presidential race to the degree that we need someone to say what needs to be said without the fear of consequences, he may present an opportunity to gain a senate seat as well, while in process attempting to unseat someone whose life mission seems to be dismantling the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.

The filing deadline in Alaska is June 2008 and the primary is in August 2008. By then, quite likely, the primary process will be nearly over unless we're headed towards a brokered convention. Since it is quite safe to predict that Gravel will not be getting the Presidential nomination, he could at that point shift to the US Senate race.

The attention he is gaining by being in the Presidential race will probably help him with the primary, where Mark Begich, the current Mayor of Anchorage, is mentioned by the wiki page as a potential Democratic candidate. I must admit to not having any idea which of these two would be the stronger general election prospect, but Gravel having had won for US Senate before there should be in a pretty good stead to win the election.

Finally, we cannot have a diary talking about Ted Steven without enjoying (yet again) DJ Steven's Techno Remix. Now, can we?

Poll

Votes: 16
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Tags: Mike Gravel, Alaska, Ted Stevens, 2008 elections, AK-Sen (all tags)

Permalink :: 12 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: An Idea: How about Gravel for AK-Sen in 2008? (3.00 / 3)

According to both Wikipedia and Politics1.com, Gravel doesn't live in Alaska anymore, he lives in Arlington, VA. Maybe that's not a problem with Alaska election law, though.

A bigger problem for me is that, I found Gravel rather embarassing to watch. He said a lot of things I agree with, but like Kucinich in 2004 his style doesn't make him a very good spokesman, IMO. Although Kucinich in 2004 tended towards shrill while Gravel is more "crazy old man" neither is great style.

Sorry, but I see Mike Gravel as more of a James Stockdale than a Paul Wellstone right now.

But, hey, that's just me, everyone else seems to love him.

by Paul Simon Democrat on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 10:48:15 PM EST

Unlike Stockdale, Gravel did win elections before (none / 0)

So, "style" needed to win should not be hard for him to assume. Don't know if his residence in VA would be an issue or not; Something to check out.

by NuevoLiberal on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 11:11:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: An Idea: How about Gravel for AK-Sen in 2008? (3.00 / 2)

It's not just you.

"And so in the place of the palace of privilege, we seek to build a temple out of faith and hope and charity."-FDR

by jallen on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 11:39:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

However, if we can get Grandpa Simpson in .. (3.00 / 1)

... the field, then that would make Gravel look moderate left, Kucinich statemanlike, Edwards and Dodd conservative Democrats and the rest of the field hard right wingers.

*John Edwards* ... and the JE08 Supporters Blog

by BruceMcF on Thu Apr 26, 2007 at 11:46:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Don't forget that Gravel won the Senate race twice (3.00 / 1)

in Alaska, which one would imagine is not easy for a Dmeocrat to do. I don't know if any Democrat won a senate race there since he left office.

by NuevoLiberal on Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 02:02:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I don't think so... (3.00 / 1)

Aside from anything else (not living in the state in question, policy differences, etc), there's also that he's recently stated at a college democrats meeting where he got an award that he not only smoked pot often while a senator, but also recently ate hash brownies.

I don't think that would go over terribly well somehow.

by Quinton on Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 12:57:43 AM EST

do you have a link? (none / 0)

by NuevoLiberal on Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 02:02:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: do you have a link? (none / 0)

No link, I don't believe press was there, but my friend was.

by Quinton on Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 03:38:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Alaska's medical marijuana initiative (none / 0)

got more votes than any candidate, or other initiative on the Alaska ballot, ever.

Democratic Candidate, US Senate, Wisconsin 2012

by benmasel on Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 01:04:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: An Idea: How about Gravel for AK-Sen in 2008? (3.00 / 1)

It will be interesting to see some national and state poll numbers to see if Mike Gravel gets a bounce. In some state polls he already has been higher than some of the viable candidates.

If he keeps up his performance like he did tonight I would not be surprised to see him finish behind Clinton, Obama, Edwards, and Richardson in 5th place in some states.

BlueSunbelt.Com Netroots for the Sunbelt states robwire.com My personal blog

by robliberal on Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 01:28:23 AM EST

I just don't see who all he's going to pick up (none / 0)

He distinguished himself by being the shrillest. But I found him dis-respectful, defensive, and not that great on ideas. He definitely went from "neutral" in my book to "we need to get him off that stage."

He might pick up more people if everybody was pissed off that we had terrible choices, but I think among Obama, Clinton, Edwards, Richardson, even Biden and Dodd and Kucinich, there is something for everyone to like. those people, to me, each represent a respectable potential nominee. Gravel did not strike me as such a candidate.

peace,
jw

by faithfull on Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 08:12:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I just don't see who all he's going to pick up (none / 0)

I think he may appeal to the angry, angry left who see Obama as too centrist and do not want to go with Kucinich again.

BlueSunbelt.Com Netroots for the Sunbelt states robwire.com My personal blog

by robliberal on Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 12:08:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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