Mike Gravel's Popularity (or lack thereof)

[bobisimo]

ExtremeSkins is an awesome forum. A lot of forums attract a very specific type of person so it can be difficult to get a good cross-section making posts. But with football as king, and the Redskins supported by an inordinately large fan base, the forums here have all types. I dig it.

And now I want to take advantage of it, if y'all'll indulge me for a moment.

See, politically speaking, I love Mike Gravel. And while I understand that not everyone thinks the same, I don't understand why Gravel seems to be doing so poorly in polls - specifically amongst liberals.

I can look down the list of general concerns via a site like OnTheIssues and think:

Who, in a general sense, is against ensuring liberties for the citizens? Who is against the idea of providing health care for all? Who is against the idea of changing the way we look at drugs and the drug war? Who is against the idea of connecting the people and the government via the internet? Who is against the idea of improving the education system? Who is against the idea of at least requiring better licensing and training before allowing people to own-and-use guns? Etc.

Again, I understand that not everyone thinks the same. I know many people will read the questions above and answer "me" to several, if not all - at least, in regard to the liberal's way of solving the issue. Many people have many good reasons to oppose universal health care, for example. But that's not what I am getting at, per se.

What I am getting at is why Gravel, even amongst liberals, is getting only 1% or 2% of the vote in polls? Is it personality? Speaking? Experience? Something else? How can there be four or five or more front-runners for the democratic party, yet Gravel is almost completely ignored? People call Kucinich a loon, yet he's doing much better than Gravel.

Make sense? I would love answers from anyone who has thoughts on the topic. Thanks!

[ImmortalDragon]

I love him but he comes off as a loon and he was a senator in Alaska. It seems like he wants to knock down the front runners instead of try to win the race. I don't know how many people could have come across his name without watching a debate. Kucinich on the other hand was, I believe, the youngest Mayor ever in a pretty popular city. Plus he ran in 04 and even after Kerry won he was still campaigning.

[SUSkinsFan]

Gravel is a ****ing nut....

[SnyderShrugged]

I like his stone in the lake video.

[bobisimo]

I love him but he comes off as a loon and he was a senator in Alaska. It seems like he wants to knock down the front runners instead of try to win the race. I don't know how many people could have come across his name without watching a debate. Kucinich on the other hand was, I believe, the youngest Mayor ever in a pretty popular city. Plus he ran in 04 and even after Kerry won he was still campaigning.

Great response and exactly the kind of reasoning I was looking for. Thank you!

[Predicto]

Who, in a general sense, is against ensuring liberties for the citizens? Who is against the idea of providing health care for all? Who is against the idea of changing the way we look at drugs and the drug war? Who is against the idea of connecting the people and the government via the internet? Who is against the idea of improving the education system? Who is against the idea of at least requiring better licensing and training before allowing people to own-and-use guns? Etc.

A lot of people think all or most of this stuff. A lot of the other candidates think this stuff. Why would I choose Mike Gravel over any of them?

He's an embarassment, and I'm a proud liberal.

[bobisimo]

An embarrassment? I'd like to hear your reasoning as to why you think as much. No, I don't intend to argue against your opinion. I simply want to understand it.

And... yes. You are right. A lot of politicians hold some similar beliefs. So why would I choose Gravel over the others? To answer your question, I would do so because I don't have to pick and choose which beliefs are the ones I cannot live without. In other words, one candidate might share my beliefs on health care but disagree on something like stem cell research. Another candidate might hold similar beliefs on education but differing beliefs on trade. With Gravel, personally, I do not have to sacrifice one important issue over another.

[Ellis]

Gravel needs an exorcist.

[footballhenry]

Mike Gravel is most definitely one of the smartest and level-headed politicians I have heard speak. He calls out ALL of the politicians that lobby to corporate interests, even in his own party. Hes certainly earned my respect, more people should 'listen' to the 'few' when they speak out against the 'many' (hmm...where have i seen this before?)

I would be so excited if I saw Ron Paul/Mike Gravel Presidential ticket. There are few men that can change this country drastically for the better, and help us get off this course of self-destruction were on; I honestly believe Paul & Gravel are two of the few souls left in D.C. that may help the United States change for the better.

[ATV]

I love him too. He's not presidential material, though. Oh, sure he'd make for a fine president, but too many people simply don't have the faith that he could ever be elected. Including myself. That doesn't make it right, though.

[DaveMason]

I'm not a democrat but Gravel is the man. A Paul/Gravel ticket would be heaven.