Mike Gravel Sings

Someone stop Mike Gravel before he makes another Youtube video. Earth to Senator Gravel: your campaign is over. Deal with it.

Gravel's singing was bad. But the lowpoint has to be Gravel doing the Soulja Boy dance with the Obama Girl.

The Fire of Mike Gavel Part 2

Mark Lane noticed that Mike Gravel is polling below wouldn't vote in a Quinnipiac University Florida poll. That didn't stop FDP contention attendees from greeting him like a Roman general back from a great victory.

Biden 1%
Clinton 43
Dodd -
Edwards 12
Gravel -
Kucinich 1
Obama 18
Richardson 3
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1
DK/NA 17

The convention was lacking Democrats with national name-recognition. Gravel spoke twice. Even local Democrats couldn't keep a straight face about Gravel.

Joked Steve Geller, Florida Senate Democratic leader: "Mike Gravel is a very serious candidate for president, and people should come out to watch him."

Even more hysterical, the convention's musical entertainment was billed as "the legendary band Orleans." People didn't who Orleans was when I told them the band was playing the convention.

No Dennis Kucinich at FDP Convention

Proof that it is darkest before dawn and after that it's pitch black. Dennis Kucinich will not be attending the Florida Democratic Party convention. Attendees can be wooed by Orleans and Mike Gravel. The former Senator had a hard time getting living souls to listen to him speak in Clearwater.

Update: Sherri at Talk 2 Me is pissed about Kucinich bailing.

I have to admit. I was surprised. I thought Kucinich was different.

He's not.

I understand why Clinton, Obama, and Edwards aren't attending. They still have a chance to win and don't want the DNC to penalize them by taking away delegates. The only reason I can think of Kucinich not attending is Howard Dean dropped the hammer on him or he is actually delussional enough to think he can still win the nomination. I say it's the latter.

Kos an an excellent post on how flaky Kucinich is. Kucinich's keynote address at the Dubrovnik Conference on the Alchemy of Peacebuilding reads like bad science fiction.

As one studies the images of the Eagle Nebula, brought back by the Hubble Telescope from that place in deep space where stars are born, one can imagine the interplay of cosmic forces across space and time, of matter and spirit dancing to the music of the spheres, atop an infinite sea of numbers.

Spirit merges with matter to sanctify the universe. Matter transcends to return to spirit. The interchangeability of matter and spirit means the starlit magic of the outermost life of our universe becomes the soul-light magic of the innermost life of our self. The energy of the stars becomes us. We become the energy of the stars. Stardust and spirit unite and we begin: One with the universe. Whole and holy. From one source, endless creative energy, bursting forth, kinetic, elemental. We, the earth, air, water and fire-source of nearly fifteen billion years of cosmic
spiraling.

We begin as a perfect union of matter and spirit. We receive the blessings of the Eternal from sky and earth. In our outstretched hands we can feel the energy of the universe. We receive the blessings of the Eternal from water, which nourishes and sanctifies life. We receive the blessings of the Eternal from the primal fire, the pulsating heart of creation. We experience the wonder of life multidimensional and transcendent. We extend our hands upwards and we are showered with abundance. We ask and we receive. A universe of plenty flows to us, through us. It is in us. We become filled with endless possibilities.

We need to remember where we came from; to know that we are one. To understand that we are of an undivided whole: race, color, nationality, creed, gender are beams of light, refracted through one great prism. We begin as perfect and journey through life to become more perfect in the singularity of "I" and in the multiplicity of "we"; a more perfect union of matter and spirit. - - This is human striving. This is where, in Shelley's words, " . . . hope creates from its own wreck the thing it contemplates." This is what Browning spoke of: Our 'reach exceeding [our] grasp'. This is a search for heaven within, a quest for our eternal home.

This video of clips from the movie Airplane! sum up my reaction to Kucinich's keynote address.

The Fire of Mike Gravel

Mike Gravel getting ready to speak to the crowd at Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse in Clearwater, Florida.



Gravel, his wife and two Seltzer's customers eating steak.

His supporters felt the fire of Gravel's presense. That doesn't mean they actually think he is going to win.

"He's not going to win, but maybe can get these big guys to answer some questions, God forbid," Sullo, 34, said before Gravel arrived. "It seems like he has some guts."

Sullo's mother, Barbara, interjected, "He has guts because he knows he's not going anywhere."

Now that's an endorsement.

Bill Clinton Coming to Orlando

I have a great deal of respect for Mitch Kates. That said, the lineup for the Florida Democratic Convention in Orlando leaves much to be desired. Color me unimpressed about Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich coming to speak. Can someone tells these two they are not serious presidential candidates.

Florida has become the Black Sheep state for Democrats. No major presidential candidate will appear at the convention. Hell, no one with name recognition will appear. We will get the live entertainment of the 70s pop band Orleans. That should sell 1 or 2 tickets.

Bill Clinton turned down his invitation to the convention. He will be speaking in Orlando on Oct. 21. VIP tickets are $2,300. No one should be surprised if his appearance is a sellout.

Update: Kenneth Quinnell has a much more positive outlook about the convention.

Personally, I'm more excited that Orleans will be playing at the convention. Not because I'm super-excited about the one Orleans song I know -- "Still the One," which I only have a mild appreciation for (I'm not really that much of a classic rock guy) -- but because John Hall was great on The Colbert Report.

We're in trouble when Orleans and John Hall are the sales pitch.

Update: Here is the schedule for the FDC.

Mike Gravel Signs DNC Pledge

It's really bad when Mike Gravel has reportedly signed the DNC pledge not to campaign in Florida.

"He told us yesterday that he'd signed it,'' said Carrie Giddins, communications director for the Iowa Democratic party.

Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate that may campaign in Florida. My head is throbbing at the thought of a Florida Kucinich media blitz. I'm not kidding. It seriously pains me. He annoys the shit out of me.

DNC Smackdown Continues

Obama Barack and John Edwards have pledged to the Democratic National Committee not to campaign in Florida before the January 29th primary.

Edwards: "Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina need to be first because in these states ideas count, not just money. These are places where voters get to look the candidate in the eye and measure their policies, ideas, and integrity."

Obama campaign: “Because states that violate DNC rules will not be allowed to contribute to the delegate tally, we urge all states to ensure their compliance with DNC rules so they can participate in our Democratic nominating process. Our campaign will work within the rules established by the DNC to earn the support of Democrats across Americaand run a grassroots campaign to unite Americans around Senator Obama’s commitment to challenging the conventional thinking in Washington.”

As usual, Hillary Clinton is officially on the fence.

Clinton campaign: "We've received the letter and we are reviewing it. Sen. Clinton is 100% committed to campaigning in Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina. She believes that these four states have a unique and special role in the process. There are other states that are going through a process now and we are going to let that process play out. But no matter what happens with those states, that will not affect our committment to these four states and we will compete in those states no matter what day those primaries or caucuses are held."

The only other candidates whom haven't signed the pledge is Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel. Those two guys couldn't be picked out of a lineup by registered Democrats.

Florida progressive bloggers have been lambasting Howard Dean for punishing Floridians. The Jon Ausman email clearly details how the Florida Democratic Party ignored the DNC's warnings and pushing to move the primary up. Florida Democrats underestimated how much sway Dean has in the party and that the DNC isn't counting on Florida turning blue in 2008.

Florida Democrats don't understand how much the party hates them for the 2000 election. Nationally, Florida is considered Texas-Lite. They aren't in a position to tell the DNC to fuck off and then make demands. The thing about poker is a better player can call the other's bluff. Bill Nelson or Karen Thurman are getting smoked by a cardshark. It never occurred to them that Dean would get the candidates on his side. Pathetic.

Visible Vote 08

The Visible Vote 08 Presidential Forum starts in a few minutes. The event is sponsored by the pro-gay groups HRC and LOGO.You can watch it at visiblevote08.logoonline.com. I will be liveblogging the event. Pam Spalding will be hosting a chat on her site.

And we are starting. I can't see the candidates.

The candidates are being introduced one at a time. Barack Obama is first.

Obama states he is for a "strong version of civil unions." He does not believe churchs should be forced to recognize civil union. Short version: separation of church and state.

Obama wants civil unions to have the same legal rights has marriage. He mentions Loving v. Virginia.

The moderator Margaret Carlson points out many will view civil unions as less than marriage.

Melissa Etheridge is a panelist. She says she humbled to be there as a privileged rock star. She tells Obama that he is a great orator.

Obama gets a laugh by calling himself a "hopemonger." It is a good pun.

Etheridge tells Obama don't be afraid to make change.

Pam Spalding takes Obama to task.

Margaret Carlson again presses on the fact that marriage is not just a matter of semantics. Obama feels that civil unions can be enforced as equal to marriage (he still cannot define why marriage has to be separate).

Obama addresses the need of the black community needs to get over it's fear of homosexuality. Obama stresses that homophobia keeps the black community from being properly getting educated on HIV. I would say sex education, as a whole, needs to be addressed.

Obama's time is running out. Each candidate gets 15 minutes.

Good! Obama endorses condom distribution.

John Edwards: come on down.

Edwards does a lot of handshaking.

Melissa Etheridge asks Edwards if he understands that gay and lesbian couples can't depend on their spouses health coverage because they are not legal spouses. Edwards goes into a horrifying story about young gay men and women kicked out of their homes because they come out of the closet.

Etheridge asks if public schools should teach LGBT. Edwards answers yes and endorses gay adoption. Both will be a hard sell in the red states. Republican operatives will see red meat.

Jonathan Capehart asks why the gay community should trust him. Edweards was silent in 2004 on the gay marriage amendment.

Edwards talks about Elizabeth taking on Ann Coulter. Edwards compares Coulter to the racism he saw in the South growing up.

Susan Stanton is in the house.

Joe Solmonese ask Edwards about his religious views against gay marriage. Edwards says would not impose his faith on LGBT issues.

Solmonese isn't satified with Edwards answer. Edwards states he hasn't changed on same sex marriage. He is against don't ask don't tell.

Edwards comes out in support of hate crimes in his closing statement.

Good God! Dennis Kucinich is up next.

This is a mutual lovefest between Kucinich and the panelists. Group hug everyone.

Etheridge tells Kucinich tells him she was warned not to fawn over him.

Pam has a more up-to-date post at Americablog.

Kucinich stresses sex education and funding.

Kucinich uses 1 + 1 = 2 as a metaphor. Feel pounding headache coming on.

Jucinich tells the crowd he loves them all. He is being cheered like a rock star.

Mike Gravel, Bill Richardson and Hillary Clinton are up next. All other candidates turned down the event.

Gravel is up. Please don't talk about the flat tax.

Etheridge points out that Gravel is unusual for his generation for supporting same sex marriage.

Gravel teases Joe Solmonese for not wanting him at Visible Vote.

Gravel attacks Clinton, Obama and Edwards for not supporting same sex marriage. He accuses them of playing it safe.

Gravel calls the label civil unions demeaning to gays.

Gravel comes out in favor of legalizing marijuana and hard drugs. I'm against this. America is not New Amsterdam.

Bill Richardson is up.

Richardson comes out couragously for civil unions because it is achievable. Short answer: don't expect Richardson to spend political capital on LGBT issues.

Jonathan Capehart asks Richardson about an Imus Show appearance where Richardson jokingly called an Imus staffer faggot in Hispanic. Richardson admits he made a boo boo.

Richardson is putting the crowd to sleep.

Richard is asked if the New Mexico legislature gave him a same sex marriage bill would he sign it. Richardson is ducking the question. Joe Solmonese repeats the question. Richarson says his heart isn't there yet.

Hillary Clinton is up. She is boring me and I am getting tired.

Hillary says she views being against gay marriage as strongly being for civil unions. She's joking. The crowd laughs.

Hillary uses the states right issue against supporting gay marriage. George Wallace used that same argument.

Etheridge tells Hillary that the Clinton administration threw the LGBT community under the bus.

Susan Stanton is being interviewed post-debate.

Pam sums up Richardson's performance.

Summary: He talks about Melissa's battle against breast cancer and her Oscar for the song for An Inconvenient Truth. [Oh boy, he's really blown this.]

Yearly Kos Presidential Debate Videos

I Agree With Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani is booed in Jacksonville. For not supporting abolishing the federal income tax.

Several dozen people wearing white fair tax T-shirts and hats and carrying signs briefly jeered when Giuliani, in response to a question, said he would not be in favor of the fair tax system.

"I have to study it some more," the former New York City mayor said. "I don't think a fair tax is realistic change for America. Our economy is dependent upon the way our tax system operates."

"Fair tax" proposals would abolish federal income taxes and other federal taxes and replace them with a national sales tax.

This national sales tax is a horrible idea supoported by conservatives and Democrat Mike Gravel. I have a hard time believing a national sales tax pitch will fly with voters after seeing how it crashed and burned in Florida. This maybe one of the few times when I actually agree with Giuliani. Mark the day on your calendar.

Mike Gravel

Mike Gravel was the most entertaining and straight forward candidate in the first Democrat presidential debate. People should be aware of his accomplishments in the Senate.

In 1971, Gravel played a key role in the release of the Pentagon Papers — a large collection of secret government documents pertaining to the Vietnam War — which were made public by former Defense Department analyst Daniel Ellsberg. Gravel inserted 4,100 pages of the Papers into the Congressional Record of his Senate Subcommittee on Buildings and Grounds. These pages were later issued by the Beacon Press as the "Senator Gravel Edition" — the most complete edition of the Pentagon Papers to be published. The "Gravel Edition" was edited and annotated by Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn, and included an additional volume of analytical articles on the origins and progress of the war, also edited by Chomsky and Zinn.

Also in 1971, Gravel embarked on a one-man filibuster against legislation renewing the military draft. Using various parliamentary maneuvers, Gravel was able to block the bill for five months before President Richard Nixon and Senate Republicans agreed to allow the draft to expire in 1973.

Six months before US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger's secret mission to the People's Republic of China in July 1971, Gravel introduced legislation to recognize and normalize relations with the PRC.

I still hate his support for a national sales tax.