MSNBC and National Journal exclude Gravel from rankings!!!

[Dutch]

...for "being rude!!"

Hey, guys. Michael here. I apologize for the forward, but it's really important. What follows is a forward from the official Mike Gravel for President MySpace page. I don't know how many of you watched the first Democratic Presidential Primary Debates last Thursday, but I did, and what MSNBC is doing here is inexcusable. Senator Mike Gravel is certainly unorthodox, and a highly unlikely candidate for the party's nomination, but regardless of his renegade-etiquette style, his contributions to the substance of the debate were singular and invaluable. I want his arguments to continue to be included, regardless of any other facts or conjecture. No one else on that stage is bringing the kind of light to these terribly troubling issues that he is. His performance was fearless if not even-tempered and his positions lucid if not mainstream. I had never heard of him before this debate, but I want to see him remain a fixture in this dialog as long as possible. If you value the democratic process and are concerned that our media is suffocating it, please follow the Gravel campaign's suggestions below, and spread the word about this journalistic travesty.

P.S. First Republican Presidential Primary Debate tomorrow (Thursday) night. Please continue to tune in. It's so, so very important. Thanks, everyone.

Original post begins here:


Folks I can't believe this but go look for yourselves.

MSNBC link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16710815

from its original URL on National Journal:
http://nationaljournal.com/racerankings/wh08/democrats/

"WASHINGTON - After the first debate, things changed -- and stayed the same. We still have two front-runners, John Edwards is solid and Joe Biden is flourishing, relatively speaking. Forty-five more debates to go...

(We're not ranking Mike Gravel... This guy's not just a third-tier longshot, he might be a little, um, off. Seriously, he was downright rude. Why should anyone agree to appear on stage with him? And why should any mainstream Democratic group invite him?)"


Please make sure your district, county and state Dem's know that you want Gravel in this race and in the debates!

PEACE!!!

[Dutch]

Here's a video mash-up of former Senator Mike Gravel's performance in the debate, via YouTube. This is the very performance in question:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gMlHv2lDqA[/youtube]

Just type "Mike Gravel" in the YouTube search bar to see other illuminating Mike Gravel moments. Let's keep this guy in the discussion, if not in the Oval Office!!!

[Dogatron]

ummm, way too much truth in there, can't have that. Can't talk about the military industrial complex controlling culture then cut to commercial, I mean gee, get some nuts.

[Jan]

Crikey, he sounds like he actually cares...

[ifihadahifi]

Holy crap, I love a wild card!

[Irock]

He was rude?

I've seen people get much uglier in debates. Hell, I've been uglier than that on conference calls.

BTW, what the hell is the National Journal? The comment in the article is so unprofessional (it's just not journalism) it seems like they couldn't be a very legitimare news org; I wonder if they're part of MSNBC or a third party.

[Tracy]

He was rude?

I've seen people get much uglier in debates. Hell, I've been uglier than that on that in conference calls.

I watched the whole YouTube video and I didn't think the was rude. I don't have cable so I didn't watch the debate but the worst thing I saw in this video was his answer to Brian Williams' question regarding nuclear energy. He didn't answer the question raised, he spoke about what he wanted - the war in Iraq. I don't think you're allowed to be a politician without learning that skill.

[sam]

Really though, what defines a "politician" more than false civility?

[sam]

...BTW, what the hell is the National Journal? The comment in the article is so unprofessional (it's just not journalism) it seems like they couldn't be a very legitimare news org; I wonder if they're part of MSNBC or a third party.

They did just partner with MSNBC to provide political commentary. I've always wished for a big chart of affiliations that would give me some clue as to which way each media source leaned.

[Dalya]

on a side note: you can make a much bigger difference by voting in smaller elections, i.e. mayor and other local officials. please don't ignore those smaller elections and only focus on the presidential election.

[sam]

ignore those smaller elections and only focus on the presidential election.

done