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2020 Presidential Candidates |
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Mike Gravel
On the issues>>
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Libertarian for President; Former Dem. Senator (AK); withdrew from Presidential primary July 2019
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2020 Contenders: |
MI Rep. Amash(?)
| CO Sen. Bennet(D)
| V.P.Biden(D)
| Don Blankenship(C)
| NYC Mayor Bloomberg(D)
| NJ Sen.Booker(D)
| MT Gov.Bullock(D)
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NYC Mayor de Blasio(D)
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| AK Sen.Gravel(D)
| CA Sen.Harris(D)
| Howie Hawkins(G)
| CO Gov.Hickenlooper(D)
| WA Gov.Inslee(D)
| OH Gov.John Kasich(R)
| MN Sen.Klobuchar(D)
| FL Mayor Messam(D)
| MA Rep. Moulton(D)
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TX Rep.O`Rourke(D)
| MA Gov.Patrick(D)
| V.P.Pence(R)
| OH-13 Rep.Ryan(D)
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SC Gov.Sanford(R)
| CEO Schultz(I)
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| CA-15 Rep.Swalwell(D)
| Pres.Trump(R)
| Arvin Vohra(L)
| IL Rep.Walsh(R)
| MA Sen.Warren(D)
| MA Gov.Weld(R)
| Marianne Williamson(D)
| VFA CEO Yang(D)
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OnTheIssues Books: |
Hillary Clinton vs. Jeb Bush on the Issues (2014) |
Marco Rubio vs. Jeb Bush on the Issues (2015) |
Hillary Clinton vs. Rand Paul on the Issues (2015) |
Rand Paul vs. Jeb Bush on the Issues (2015) |
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Archives
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![](../../2020_The_Hill.jpg) The Hill on 2020 campaigns
![](../../2020_Pres_Web.jpg) Survey of 2020 Presidential contenders' campaign websites
![](../../2020_Hopefuls.jpg) Articles and interviews throughout 2017-2019
![](../../2020_Dems.jpg) Articles and interviews throughout 2018-2020
![](../../Media_CurrentAffairs.jpg) Current Affairs
![](../../Media_Rolling_Stone.jpg) Rolling Stone Magazine
![](../../Media_Jacobin.jpg) Jacobin Magazine
![](../../SC.jpg) South Carolina secondary Archives
![](../../Media_NPR.jpg) National Public Radio political news
![](../../Media_IA.jpg) IA newspaper: The Des Moines Register
![](../../2012_Pres_Web.jpg) Survey of 2012 Presidential contenders' campaign websites
![](../../Media_Univision.jpg) Univision News
![](../../Media_Reason.jpg) Reason Magazine
![](../../Media_The_Nation.jpg) The Nation magazine
![](../../Media_NY_WSJ.jpg) NY newspaper: Wall Street Journal
![](../../Media_National_Review.jpg) Political coverage in National Review
![](../../Media_Huffington_Post.jpg) Political coverage on The Huffington Post
![](../../NV.jpg) Nevada Archives
![](../../NH.jpg) New Hampshire Archives
![](../../2008_Pres_Web.jpg) Survey of 2004 and 2008 Presidential contenders' campaign websites
![](../../Political_Odyssey.jpg) A Political Odyssey, by Mike Gravel, published May 2008
![](../../2008_Pres_NPAT.jpg) Presidential 2008 Political Courage Test
![](../../Mandate_for_Change.jpg) A Mandate for Change, by Mike Gravel
![](../../2008_GovWatch.jpg) Washington Post, "The Fact Checker"
![](../../2007_Dems_NPR.jpg) 2007 National Public Radio Presidential Debate, Dec. 4, 2007
![](../../2007_Dems_DMR.jpg) 2007 Democrats debate sponsored by Des Moines Register, Dec. 13, 2007
![](../../Contenders_2008.jpg) The Contenders, by Laura Flanders et al.
![](../../2007_Dem_primary_Dartmouth.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College
![](../../2007_Dem_Drexel.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate at Drexel University
![](../../2007_Univision_Dems.jpg) Democratic primary debate, broadcast in Spanish
![](../../2007_Dems_Mashup.jpg) Democratic Mash-Up: 2007 on-line debate sponsored by the Huffington Post, Slate.com, and Yahoo.com
![](../../2007_Stephanopoulos_Dems.jpg) Democratic primary debate hosted by George Stephanopoulos, August 19, 2007
![](../../2007_HRC_LOGO.jpg) 2007 HRC-LOGO debate on GLBT issues (all Republicans invited but only Democrats accepted)
![](../../2007_AFL-CIO_Dems.jpg) 2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum
![](../../2007_YouTube_Dems.jpg) YouTube Democratic Primary Debate, July 23, 2007
![](../../2007_NAACP_Primary.jpg) 2007 NAACP Presidential Primary Forum
![](../../TBA_2007.jpg) Take Back America 2007 Conference
![](../../2007_Dems_Howard_U.jpg) 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University, June 28, 2007
![](../../2007_Dem_St_Anselm.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate at St. Anselm College, Manchester N.H., June 3, 2007
![](../../2007_Dem_primary_SC.jpg) 2007 Democratic primary debate in South Carolina, sponsored by MSNBC
![](../../2007_SEIU_Las_Vegas.jpg) SEIU Democratic Health Care Forum in Las Vegas
![](../../2007_Dem_AFSCME_NV.jpg) 2007 AFSCME Democratic primary debate in Carson City Nevada
![](../../2007_FactCheck.jpg) FactCheck.org analysis of 2007 primary debates
![](../../Citizen_Power.jpg) Citizen Power: A People's Platform, by Mike Gravel
![](../../Media_YouTube.jpg) YouTube video
![](../../Media_Wikipedia.jpg) Wikipedia.org political website
(click a picture above for excerpts or other books and debates by or about Mike_Gravel)
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Issues |
Abortion
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Budget & Economy
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Civil Rights
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Corporations
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Crime
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![](../images/spacer.gif)
Mike Gravel on Abortion
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Click here for 4 full quotes on Abortion
OR other candidates on Abortion
OR background on Abortion.
- Fund stem cell research on existing & new embryonic lines. (Apr 2008)
- Agreed with NARAL on 16 pro-choice votes; absent on other 7. (Jan 2008)
- Any abortion decision should remain between woman & doctor. (Apr 2007)
- Stem Cell research should not be limited. (Jun 2006)
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Mike Gravel on Budget & Economy
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Click here for 6 full quotes on Budget & Economy
OR other candidates on Budget & Economy
OR background on Budget & Economy.
- Clinton’s 1990s military reductions created budget surplus. (May 2008)
- Supports line-item veto; opposes signing statements. (Apr 2008)
- Considered his bankruptcy as creditors donating to his cause. (Nov 2007)
- Personal bankruptcy ok because money went to empower people. (Sep 2007)
- Unequivocally Endorses The Common Sense Budget Act. (Dec 2006)
- Make Office of Scientific Assessment to avoid cost overruns. (Jan 1972)
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Mike Gravel on Civil Rights
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Click here for 20 full quotes on Civil Rights
OR other candidates on Civil Rights
OR background on Civil Rights.
- $30 billion per year for National Reparations Trust Fund. (Apr 2019)
- Include sexual orientation & gender identity as civil rights. (Apr 2019)
- Bush’s overblown War on Terror is modern McCarthyism. (May 2008)
- Established first in-state high school for native Alaskans. (May 2008)
- Discontinue public college & government affirmative action. (Apr 2008)
- Alaskan gay supporters in Harvey Milk Club. (Aug 2007)
- Marriage preceded religion; it’s not a religious term. (Aug 2007)
- Mainstream politicians play it safe on gay marriage. (Aug 2007)
- First accomplishment: creating AK Human Rights Commission. (Aug 2007)
- Straight older men are dead wrong to oppose gay marriage. (Aug 2007)
- By next election, gay marriage could win a popular vote. (Aug 2007)
- Civil union establish second-class citizenship for gays. (Aug 2007)
- We must assert our rights; nobody will give them to you. (Aug 2007)
- Dems love blacks during elections, but nothing has improved. (Jul 2007)
- Electoral-industrial complex steals African-American votes. (Jul 2007)
- Racism still with us in the 21st century. (Jun 2007)
- Don’t ask don’t tell should have gone 20 years ago. (Jun 2007)
- Unequivocally supports same-sex marriage. (Feb 2007)
- Politicians use fear to manipulate us all. (Feb 2007)
- Calling critics or doubters un-American is anti-patriotic. (Aug 2006)
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Mike Gravel on Corporations
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Click here for 8 full quotes on Corporations
OR other candidates on Corporations
OR background on Corporations.
- Use antitrust authority to break up large businesses. (Apr 2019)
- Re-establish public banking services within post offices. (Apr 2019)
- Democracy is gone when elections are commercialized. (Jan 2008)
- Only natural persons should participate in politics. (Jan 2008)
- Hold accountable war-profiteers like NBC and GE. (Oct 2007)
- Leadership fails because US is run by corporate America. (Sep 2007)
- Corporate taxes just get passed on to consumers. (Dec 2006)
- Purpose of economy is to meet people’s needs, not business. (Jan 1972)
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Mike Gravel on Crime
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Click here for 9 full quotes on Crime
OR other candidates on Crime
OR background on Crime.
- Decriminalize all commercial sex work. (Apr 2019)
- Ban cash bail: it only benefits the rich. (Apr 2019)
- No one deserves to be put to death by the state. (Apr 2019)
- Eliminate the federal death penalty. (Apr 2008)
- If you don’t have any money, you don’t get any justice. (Jun 2007)
- Eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing laws. (May 2007)
- Citizen Power includes abolition of the death penalty. (Jan 2007)
- More jails don’t cut crime--must address poverty instead. (Jan 1972)
- Stop punishment for victimless crimes: drugs, sex & gambling. (Jan 1972)
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Mike Gravel on Drugs
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Click here for 12 full quotes on Drugs
OR other candidates on Drugs
OR background on Drugs.
- Proposed a Constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana. (Jul 2019)
- Legalize & regulate all drugs, including opioids. (Apr 2019)
- War on drugs is a total failure. (Nov 2007)
- Supports national ban on smoking in public places. (Sep 2007)
- Lower drinking age from 21 to 18 so soldiers can drink. (Sep 2007)
- Allow buying marijuana at liquor stores. (Aug 2007)
- Decriminalize hard drugs so we can treat addicts. (Aug 2007)
- Drug War failing now, like Prohibition failed in 1920s. (Aug 2007)
- Drugs are public health issue, not criminal issue. (Jun 2007)
- FactCheck: Only 40% of inmates are black; not 70% as claimed. (Jun 2007)
- War on drugs loses an entire generation to our prisons. (May 2007)
- Legalize the use and possession of marijuana. (Feb 2007)
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Mike Gravel on Education
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Click here for 14 full quotes on Education
OR other candidates on Education
OR background on Education.
- Delink property taxes to equalize education funding. (Apr 2019)
- Student Debt Jubilee: one-time government debt forgiveness. (Apr 2019)
- Science must guide us, not religious extremism. (May 2008)
- Supports vouchers, charters, and magnet schools. (Apr 2008)
- No position on separation of church & state. (Nov 2007)
- Extend school day and extend school year. (Sep 2007)
- Our school stats fail because we’re stuck in triumphalism. (Sep 2007)
- GovWatch: Yes, Americans are getting fatter, but not dumber. (Sep 2007)
- Supports merit pay for teachers; make education top priority. (Aug 2007)
- Sent kids to some private school; likes a little competition. (Jul 2007)
- US schools fail because we’re yoked by military. (Feb 2007)
- Citizen Power includes school vouchers. (Jan 2007)
- Vouchers are innovative & imaginative--let’s experiment. (Jan 1972)
- 25% bonus for teachers in hardship areas. (Jan 1972)
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Mike Gravel on Energy & Oil
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Click here for 13 full quotes on Energy & Oil
OR other candidates on Energy & Oil
OR background on Energy & Oil.
- Support carbon tax and Green New Deal. (Apr 2019)
- Implacably opposed to civilian nuclear power. (May 2008)
- Using H-bombs to build harbors is an “insane idea”. (May 2008)
- 1971: Nuclear power causes long-term contamination. (May 2008)
- 1971: Fought environmentalists for Alaska oil pipeline. (May 2008)
- Institute a tax on oil. (Apr 2008)
- Carbon tax can get us off of gasoline in 5 years. (Sep 2007)
- Wind power is solution to oil dependency. (Sep 2007)
- I started the nuclear critique in this country. (Apr 2007)
- Make Global Warming a matter of national security. (Dec 2006)
- Immediately sign the Kyoto protocol. (Nov 2006)
- Nuclear energy is unwise because of nuclear waste. (Jan 1972)
- Sponsored bill letting states decide on federal dams. (Aug 1979)
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Mike Gravel on Environment
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Click here for 8 full quotes on Environment
OR other candidates on Environment
OR background on Environment.
- Eliminate all single-use plastics. (Apr 2019)
- 1971 support of SST conflicted with environmentalists. (May 2008)
- Strengthen Clean Water Act & Clean Air Act. (Apr 2008)
- To get Americans to conserve, change the tax structure. (Jul 2007)
- Iraq funds could build 4 million homes for Katrina victims. (Jun 2007)
- Support a carbon tax and stop fighting wars for oil. (Jun 2007)
- Sponsored bill for Congress to decide land use, not DOI. (Sep 1979)
- Sponsored bill allowing tax deduction for recycling costs. (Apr 1980)
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Mike Gravel on Foreign Policy
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Click here for 19 full quotes on Foreign Policy
OR other candidates on Foreign Policy
OR background on Foreign Policy.
- No "America alone": re-engage with multilateral institutions. (Apr 2019)
- Referendum on Puerto Rico statehood. (Apr 2019)
- Bring critique of American imperialism to Democratic primary. (Mar 2019)
- 1971: end Vietnam involvement; 2008: end Mideast involvement. (Mar 2019)
- Sanctions never work, unless regime’s victims ask for them. (May 2008)
- 1970s self-examination of US role is needed again. (May 2008)
- American messianism: Christianizing & democratizing abroad. (May 2008)
- 1948: Volunteered to fight for Israeli independence. (May 2008)
- Cold War Latin America policy was imperialistic. (May 2008)
- Reagan did not end Cold War; Gorbachev’s reforms did. (May 2008)
- Restructure UN for participatory global governance. (Jan 2008)
- With policy of “beggar thy neighbor,” we all become beggars. (Dec 2007)
- Recognize Cuba; open up to Chavez in Venezuela. (Sep 2007)
- No US troops in Darfur; Africans don’t trust US. (Jul 2007)
- Need president with moral judgment; most don’t have it. (Jun 2007)
- US has no important enemies, so treat world as equals. (Apr 2007)
- Bi-lateral plus multi-lateral talks with North Korea. (Aug 2006)
- Replace intervention with participation, not isolation. (Jan 1972)
- US should empower UN with stand-by peace force. (Jan 1972)
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Mike Gravel on Government Reform
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Click here for 35 full quotes on Government Reform
OR other candidates on Government Reform
OR background on Government Reform.
- Replace Electoral College with direct election of President. (Apr 2019)
- Ranked choice voting replaces "lesser of two evils". (Apr 2019)
- Secrecy makes democracy a sham. (May 2008)
- Presidents often tend toward monarchy, especially during war. (May 2008)
- 1972: Senate presented evidence for 1st time in Gravel case. (May 2008)
- 1972: Lost Supreme Court case, United States v. Gravel. (May 2008)
- Senators can & should reveal secret war plans with impunity. (May 2008)
- I hate government secrecy; it only protects government. (May 2008)
- Use political power to accomplish something. (May 2008)
- FISA was created to check abuse of power. (May 2008)
- Public taxpayer funding for federal candidates. (Apr 2008)
- Incumbents blocking FEC matching funds for other candidates. (Apr 2008)
- Average Americans are precluded from decision-making process. (Jan 2008)
- Voting just gives power to politicians; we need more. (Jan 2008)
- National Initiative for Democracy: voters as participants. (Jan 2008)
- Secrecy has gotten worse since Nixon presidency. (Jan 2008)
- Public empowerment appeals to progressives & libertarians. (Nov 2007)
- National Initiative criticized as public opinion bureaucracy. (Nov 2007)
- Americans are getting fatter & dumber; must get empowered!. (Sep 2007)
- Asks candidates to pledge to use existing public finance law. (Aug 2007)
- When you use political capital, more capital flows your way. (Aug 2007)
- Obama avoids PAC money, but takes lobbyists’ bundled money. (Jul 2007)
- Without paper ballots, they’ll steal the next election too. (Jul 2007)
- Congress is Constitutionally more powerful than President. (Jun 2007)
- Congress is Constitutionally more powerful than President. (Jun 2007)
- People protest because they cannot participate in power. (Jun 2007)
- People protest because they cannot participate in power. (Jun 2007)
- Institute healtharereforms by people’s National Initiative. (Mar 2007)
- I’ve got no money; of course I’m for campaign finance reform. (Feb 2007)
- You can be empowered to vote on issues that affect your life. (Feb 2007)
- Repeal the Electoral College; enact federal term limits. (Dec 2006)
- National Initiative to allow citizen law makers. (Nov 2006)
- Start with public financing of campaigns. (Jan 1972)
- Abolish voter registration as precondition for voting. (Jan 1972)
- Replace electoral college with direct election. (Jan 1972)
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Mike Gravel on Health Care
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Click here for 18 full quotes on Health Care
OR other candidates on Health Care
OR background on Health Care.
- VA4A: Veterans Administration healthcare for all. (Apr 2019)
- Expand Medicare coverage & child healthcare programs. (Apr 2008)
- Universal coverage with guaranteed equal care. (Sep 2007)
- Reforms fail because pharma companies control Congress. (Sep 2007)
- Everybody should have the same health care. (Sep 2007)
- Applies lessons from his healthcare-related bankruptcy. (Sep 2007)
- Need to do better job on treating Americans with HIV. (Aug 2007)
- End subsidization of the insurance companies. (Jun 2007)
- Doctors do a lot of testing today to cover their backsides. (Mar 2007)
- Single-payer health care plan via vouchers you can add to. (Mar 2007)
- Real reform impossible under mercantile lobbying system. (Mar 2007)
- Reforming employer-based system keeps historical accident. (Mar 2007)
- Vouchers provide freedom of choice and perhaps public plan. (Mar 2007)
- President has role to energize people for preventive health. (Mar 2007)
- Phase out Medicare and Medicaid over time. (Mar 2007)
- Citizen Power includes universal health care. (Jan 2007)
- Almost all developed nations provide healthcare for all. (Nov 2006)
- We have impressive resources but need delivery to people. (Jan 1972)
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Mike Gravel on Homeland Security
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Click here for 46 full quotes on Homeland Security
OR other candidates on Homeland Security
OR background on Homeland Security.
- America will be safer without nukes: end "nuclear deterrent". (Apr 2019)
- Bring 138,000 US troops home from 800 bases abroad. (Apr 2019)
- In Congress, personified opposition to American militarism. (May 2008)
- Soldiers die in vain if war serves only elite interests. (May 2008)
- President’s job since WWII is pitchman for war industry. (May 2008)
- Released full Pentagon Papers when Nixon stopped publication. (May 2008)
- Made into Senate pariah for releasing Pentagon Papers. (May 2008)
- Boston publisher finally printed Pentagon Papers. (May 2008)
- Sued by Nixon in Supreme Court case. (May 2008)
- Bush & military-industrialists rule by fear-mongering. (May 2008)
- CIA NIE ignored in 1947 about Cold War; & in 2004 about Iraq. (May 2008)
- 1969: Opposed early ABM anti-missile systems. (May 2008)
- Bush’s ABMs don’t work well but do enrich insiders. (May 2008)
- 1969: Protested nuclear bomb tests on Aleutians. (May 2008)
- Peacetime draft militarizes the culture. (May 2008)
- Foreign arms sales funnel money back to defense industry. (May 2008)
- Reagan’s SDI set stage for Bush’s trashing the ABM treaty. (May 2008)
- Need new 9/11 investigation on sources of Bin Laden’s power. (May 2008)
- No monitoring domestic communication; no military tribunals. (Apr 2008)
- No additional homeland security funding; no missile defense. (Apr 2008)
- Enormous misappropriation of wealth to military programs. (Jan 2008)
- Warfare state from Vietnam now expanded to include Iraq War. (Jan 2008)
- 1960s: Wept openly in Senate because US is dragged in mud. (Nov 2007)
- I ended the draft; I stopped nuclear testing. (Sep 2007)
- Terrorism is not a war; treat it as a criminal act. (Sep 2007)
- We are STILL expanding our nuclear capability. (Aug 2007)
- US has nothing to fear; fear sustains the military complex. (Aug 2007)
- Filibustered to end the draft; but women should register. (Jul 2007)
- Cut Pentagon by more than 15%; we’re squandering money. (Jun 2007)
- FactCheck: Yes, Iraq money could fund 21M scholarships. (Jun 2007)
- Threatening nukes is immoral foreign policy. (Apr 2007)
- Fighting terrorism with a war doesn’t work. (Apr 2007)
- US is the greatest violator of the non-proliferation treaty. (Apr 2007)
- Filibustered the draft in ‘71, causing its expiration in ‘73. (Jan 2007)
- Raze Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib prisons to the ground. (Dec 2006)
- Cut US nuclear arsenal from 10,000 to a couple hundred. (Nov 2006)
- War on terror will fail like war on drugs & war on poverty. (Nov 2006)
- Fight terrorism with dogged global police work. (Nov 2006)
- Remove power to declare war from Congress-they’ve abdicated. (Apr 2006)
- Fought & beat Nixon White House on Pentagon Papers in 1971. (Apr 2006)
- Bush administration’s secrecy is worse than Nixon’s. (Apr 2006)
- Cut military budget in half--we don’t need such “readiness”. (Jan 1972)
- Government secrecy creates 1984-style state. (Jan 1972)
- National security is no need for government secrecy. (Jan 1972)
- Presidential imperialism feeds the arms industry. (May 2008)
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- Bush uses Patriot Act to gut international law. (May 2008)
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Mike Gravel on Immigration
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Click here for 12 full quotes on Immigration
OR other candidates on Immigration
OR background on Immigration.
- Open borders except for criminals escaping the law. (Apr 2019)
- Support amnesty for illegal immigrants already working here. (Apr 2008)
- We’re making a mountain out of a mole hill on immigration. (Dec 2007)
- Immigration issue is national scapegoating. (Sep 2007)
- Embarrassed at building a wall on southern border. (Sep 2007)
- Suspend immigrant raids that separate families. (Sep 2007)
- I’m first-generation American; we’re all immigrants. (Sep 2007)
- Make whole country a sanctuary city. (Sep 2007)
- I’m ashamed that we’re building a fence on southern border. (Sep 2007)
- Make English the official language of the US. (Jun 2007)
- Illegal immigrants come here for jobs; don’t deport them. (Jun 2006)
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- Nativists who want to fence us in are dead wrong. (May 2008)
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Mike Gravel on Jobs
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Click here for 7 full quotes on Jobs
OR other candidates on Jobs
OR background on Jobs.
- Right to Own: employees can buy out companies that close. (Apr 2019)
- Communists helped unions end child labor & set 8-hr workday. (May 2008)
- Support unionization; raise federal minimum wage. (Apr 2008)
- Claims 100% rating with AFL-CIO for full legislative career. (Aug 2007)
- Minimum wage as president OK, but we need living wage. (Jul 2007)
- Citizens Wage: individuals share in nation’s total affluence. (Jan 1972)
- Sponsored bill helping employees buy closing businesses. (May 1979)
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Mike Gravel on Principles & Values
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Click here for 35 full quotes on Principles & Values
OR other candidates on Principles & Values
OR background on Principles & Values.
- Made debate donor count with help from opponent Williamson. (Jul 2019)
- Push Dems toward sensible views on political reform. (Mar 2019)
- Served in US Army in the Cold War in Europe. (May 2008)
- Political career started as teen handing out campaign flyers. (May 2008)
- Dyslexic, hence became avid political reader at a late age. (May 2008)
- As army spy, felt rotten spying on innocent people. (May 2008)
- Moved to pre-statehood Alaska because no political elite. (May 2008)
- Conservatives support the rich; liberals support the state. (Jan 2008)
- Gadfly who’s mad as hell at Democratic Establishment. (Nov 2007)
- No-nonsense challenge to mainstream Democratic shuffling. (Nov 2007)
- Protests being cut out of debate as free speech issue. (Oct 2007)
- I believe in the power of love over the power of prayer. (Aug 2007)
- Leadership brings society to civic maturity on tough issues. (Aug 2007)
- Leaders are seen as mavericks, and only later as courageous. (Aug 2007)
- Let the people decide: Solution is with you, not leaders. (Mar 2007)
- US citizens should be allowed to vote for or against laws. (Feb 2007)
- Citizen Power: democracy requires participation. (Jan 1972)
Campaign Videos
- 2008: YouTube political "video art" went viral. (Mar 2019)
- Withdrew from politics for 26 years, ashamed of politics. (May 2008)
- Video: "Power to the people vs give peace a chance". (Jan 2008)
- Decisive moment: realizing representative gov’t is broken. (Aug 2007)
- Video “Fire” is metaphor for gathering & using experience. (Jun 2007)
- Video “Rock” is metaphor for causing changes in society. (Jun 2007)
Past Campaigns
- 1958: Ran for Alaska Legislature as prep for US Senate. (May 2008)
- 1965: False promise to opponent to get House speakership. (May 2008)
- 1980: Forced into bankruptcy by bad real estate deals. (May 2008)
- Lost re-election after alienating every AK constituency. (Nov 2007)
- Blogosphere hails Gravel/Paul ticket with cross-party appeal. (Nov 2007)
- Wildcard independent run raises specter of Nader. (Nov 2007)
- Clintons & DLC sold out the Democratic Party to Wall Street. (Jul 2007)
- GOP lost in 2006 because they were lousy; Dems must earn ‘08. (Jun 2007)
- Did not plan on presidency, but candidates are frightening. (Apr 2007)
- Achieved much in Senate, but prefers governors for president. (Feb 2007)
- Came in 3rd for Vice Presidential nomination in 1972. (Jan 2007)
- Has campaigned in NH almost fulltime since April 2006. (Jan 2007)
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Mike Gravel on Tax Reform
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Click here for 11 full quotes on Tax Reform
OR other candidates on Tax Reform
OR background on Tax Reform.
- Automatic return-free tax system by online IRS filing option. (Apr 2019)
- Progressive tax: 60% at $1 million, and up from there. (Apr 2019)
- Eliminate income tax so the wealthy can’t “game” the system. (Nov 2007)
- I advocate a FairTax: pay as you spend. (Aug 2007)
- Tax code is corrupt & serves the wealthy. (Jun 2007)
- Wipe out the income tax! -- it’s regressive. (Feb 2007)
- National sales tax; no exceptions; prebates for essentials. (Feb 2007)
- Supports a national sales tax to replace IRS. (Jan 2007)
- Repeal the income tax and close down the IRS. (Dec 2006)
- Tax system unfairness only superceded by incomprehensibility. (Apr 2006)
- Less regressive tax on poor; more capital gains on rich. (Jan 1972)
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Mike Gravel on War & Peace
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Click here for 26 full quotes on War & Peace
OR 17 older headlines
OR other candidates on War & Peace
OR background on War & Peace.
- Filibustered to end the military draft. (May 2019)
- Cut military budget by 50%, close all military bases abroad. (Apr 2019)
- Split DoD into Department of War and Department of Peace. (Apr 2019)
- Withdraw all troops from South Korea; normalize with North. (Apr 2019)
- 2020 debates desperately need an anti-war voice. (Mar 2019)
- 1960s Vietnam posed no threat to America. (May 2008)
- Stop nuclear proliferation: the Cold War is over. (Feb 2007)
- Election was mandate for peace but carnage continues for oil. (Dec 2006)
- US creates threats to our own security by acting out of fear. (Jan 1972)
Mideast
- End military aid to Israel; recognize Palestinian statehood. (Apr 2019)
- End military aid to Saudi Arabia; no support for Yemen war. (Apr 2019)
- Iraq war was propagandized like 1898 “Remember the Maine!”. (May 2008)
- Intent of War Powers Act was to stop wars like Iraq. (May 2008)
- Neocons plotted since 1991 to overthrow Saddam. (May 2008)
- Only morons & neocons think war achieves Mideast democracy. (May 2008)
- Meeting with Hamas jump-starts the peace process. (Apr 2008)
- Opposed war in Iraq before it even began. (Jan 2008)
- Iran’s not a problem, never has been, never will be. (Dec 2007)
- Bush cooking books on Iran; resolve against invading Iran. (Aug 2007)
- Blaming Iraqis for war problems is American imperialism. (Aug 2007)
- Bush can’t go into Iran today because I filibustered draft. (Aug 2007)
- Dislodge ourselves from Iraq, by working with Iran & Syria. (Aug 2007)
- Soldiers in Vietnam died in vain; now same in Iraq. (Jul 2007)
- Vietnam caused no dominoes; Iraq won’t either. (Jun 2007)
- Someone who voted for the Iraq war shouldn’t be president. (Jun 2007)
- Anyone who voted for Iraq war should not be president. (Feb 2007)
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Mike Gravel on Welfare & Poverty
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Click here for 6 full quotes on Welfare & Poverty
OR other candidates on Welfare & Poverty
OR background on Welfare & Poverty.
- Redistribute wealth nationally, like Alaska Permanent Fund. (Apr 2019)
- Patchwork system addresses emergencies but not poverty. (Jan 2008)
- No position on faith-based initiatives. (Oct 2007)
- US ranks low worldwide in poverty statistics. (Nov 2006)
- Citizens Wage: $5000 income from feds to banish poverty. (Jan 1972)
- Workfare is morally repugnant; why not “wealthwork”? (Jan 1972)
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VoteMatch Responses
(Click here for VoteMatch quiz) |
VoteMatch Question & Answer (Click on question for explanation and background) |
Based on these stances: (Click on topic for excerpt & citation) |
Strongly Favors
topic 1:Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Fund stem cell research on existing & new embryonic lines: Favors topic 1 Agreed with NARAL on 16 pro-choice votes; absent on other 7: Strongly Favors topic 1 Any abortion decision should remain between woman & doctor: Strongly Favors topic 1 Stem Cell research should not be limited: Favors topic 1 |
Favors
topic 2:Legally require hiring women & minorities
(-3 points on Economic scale)
| $30 billion per year for National Reparations Trust Fund: Strongly Favors topic 2 Discontinue public college & government affirmative action: Strongly Opposes topic 2 Racism still with us in the 21st century: Favors topic 2 |
Strongly Favors
topic 3:Comfortable with same-sex marriage
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Include sexual orientation & gender identity as civil rights: Strongly Favors topic 3 By next election, gay marriage could win a popular vote: Strongly Favors topic 3 Civil union establish second-class citizenship for gays: Strongly Favors topic 3 Don’t ask don’t tell should have gone 20 years ago: Strongly Favors topic 3 Unequivocally supports same-sex marriage: Strongly Favors topic 3 |
Opposes
topic 4:Keep God in the public sphere
(+2 points on Social scale)
| No position on separation of church & state: Neutral on topic 4 No position on faith-based initiatives: Neutral on topic 4 Citizens Wage: $5000 income from feds to banish poverty: Opposes topic 4 |
Strongly Favors
topic 5:Expand ObamaCare
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| VA4A: Veterans Administration healthcare for all: Strongly Favors topic 5 Expand Medicare coverage & child healthcare programs: Strongly Favors topic 5 Universal coverage with guaranteed equal care: Strongly Favors topic 5 Everybody should have the same health care: Favors topic 5 End subsidization of the insurance companies: Favors topic 5 Single-payer health care plan via vouchers you can add to: Strongly Favors topic 5 Citizen Power includes universal health care: Strongly Favors topic 5 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 6:Privatize Social Security
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| Put real money in the Trust Fund & invest it properly: Strongly Opposes topic 6 |
Favors
topic 7:Vouchers for school choice
(+2 points on Economic scale)
| Delink property taxes to equalize education funding: Strongly Opposes topic 7 Supports vouchers, charters, and magnet schools: Strongly Favors topic 7 Citizen Power includes school vouchers: Strongly Favors topic 7 Vouchers are innovative & imaginative--let’s experiment: Strongly Favors topic 7 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 8:Fight EPA regulatory over-reach
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Eliminate all single-use plastics: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Strengthen Clean Water Act & Clean Air Act: Strongly Opposes topic 8 Sponsored bill allowing tax deduction for recycling costs: Opposes topic 8 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 9:Stricter punishment reduces crime
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Decriminalize all commercial sex work: Strongly Opposes topic 9 Ban cash bail: it only benefits the rich: Strongly Opposes topic 9 No one deserves to be put to death by the state: Strongly Opposes topic 9 Eliminate the federal death penalty: Strongly Opposes topic 9 If you don’t have any money, you don’t get any justice: Opposes topic 9 Eliminate mandatory minimum sentencing laws: Strongly Opposes topic 9 Citizen Power includes abolition of the death penalty: Strongly Opposes topic 9 More jails don’t cut crime--must address poverty instead: Strongly Opposes topic 9 |
Opposes
topic 10:Absolute right to gun ownership
(-3 points on Economic scale)
| License for concealed carry; teach firearms safety: Opposes topic 10 Require license & training for gun ownership: Opposes topic 10 |
Opposes
topic 11:Higher taxes on the wealthy
(+2 points on Economic scale)
| Progressive tax: 60% at $1 million, and up from there: Strongly Favors topic 11 I advocate a FairTax: pay as you spend: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Tax code is corrupt & serves the wealthy: Favors topic 11 Wipe out the income tax! -- it’s regressive: Opposes topic 11 National sales tax; no exceptions; prebates for essentials: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Supports a national sales tax to replace IRS: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Repeal the income tax and close down the IRS: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Less regressive tax on poor; more capital gains on rich: Strongly Favors topic 11 |
Strongly Favors
topic 12:Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Open borders except for criminals escaping the law: Strongly Favors topic 12 Support amnesty for illegal immigrants already working here: Strongly Favors topic 12 Immigration issue is national scapegoating: Strongly Favors topic 12 Embarrassed at building a wall on southern border: Strongly Favors topic 12 Make whole country a sanctuary city: Strongly Favors topic 12 I’m ashamed that we’re building a fence on southern border: Strongly Favors topic 12 Make English the official language of the US: Opposes topic 12 Illegal immigrants come here for jobs; don’t deport them: Strongly Favors topic 12 Nativists who want to fence us in are dead wrong: No opin. on topic 12 |
Opposes
topic 13:Support & expand free trade
(-3 points on Economic scale)
| No sanctions on China or Venezuela, but no trade agreements: Opposes topic 13 CAFTA & NAFTA cause unemployment in Mexico & Central America: Strongly Opposes topic 13 Trade agreements only benefit shareholders: Strongly Opposes topic 13 Tariffs on China could spur worldwide economic downturn: Favors topic 13 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 14:Support American Exceptionalism
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| No "America alone": re-engage with multilateral institutions: Strongly Opposes topic 14 Bring critique of American imperialism to Democratic primary: Strongly Opposes topic 14 US should empower UN with stand-by peace force: Strongly Opposes topic 14 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 15:Expand the military
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Filibustered to end the military draft: Strongly Opposes topic 15 Cut military budget by 50%, close all military bases abroad: Strongly Opposes topic 15 America will be safer without nukes: end "nuclear deterrent": Strongly Opposes topic 15 Bring 138,000 US troops home from 800 bases abroad: Strongly Opposes topic 15 1969: Opposed early ABM anti-missile systems: Opposes topic 15 No additional homeland security funding; no missile defense: Strongly Opposes topic 15 Enormous misappropriation of wealth to military programs: Strongly Opposes topic 15 Warfare state from Vietnam now expanded to include Iraq War: Strongly Opposes topic 15 US has nothing to fear; fear sustains the military complex: Opposes topic 15 Cut Pentagon by more than 15%; we’re squandering money: Strongly Opposes topic 15 Cut US nuclear arsenal from 10,000 to a couple hundred: Strongly Opposes topic 15 Cut military budget in half--we don’t need such “readiness”: Strongly Opposes topic 15 Presidential imperialism feeds the arms industry: Strongly Opposes topic 15 |
Strongly Favors
topic 16:Make voter registration easier
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Replace Electoral College with direct election of President: Strongly Favors topic 16 Ranked choice voting replaces "lesser of two evils": Strongly Favors topic 16 Public taxpayer funding for federal candidates: Strongly Favors topic 16 Asks candidates to pledge to use existing public finance law: Strongly Favors topic 16 I’ve got no money; of course I’m for campaign finance reform: Favors topic 16 Start with public financing of campaigns: Strongly Favors topic 16 |
Strongly Favors
topic 17:Avoid foreign entanglements
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Withdraw all troops from South Korea; normalize with North: Strongly Favors topic 17 2020 debates desperately need an anti-war voice: Strongly Favors topic 17 1971: end Vietnam involvement; 2008: end Mideast involvement: Strongly Favors topic 17 Fighting terrorism with a war doesn’t work: Favors topic 17 Election was mandate for peace but carnage continues for oil: Strongly Favors topic 17 Remove power to declare war from Congress-they’ve abdicated: Strongly Favors topic 17 End military aid to Saudi Arabia; no support for Yemen war: Strongly Favors topic 17 2008: searing indictment of Democratic support of Iraq war: Strongly Favors topic 17 Opposed war in Iraq before it even began: Strongly Favors topic 17 Dislodge ourselves from Iraq, by working with Iran & Syria: Strongly Favors topic 17 Soldiers in Iraq are dying in vain; so just get out: Strongly Favors topic 17 Iraq war was lost the day Bush invaded-make it illegal: Strongly Favors topic 17 Immediate withdrawal from the war in Iraq: Strongly Favors topic 17 Commence an immediate and orderly withdrawal from Iraq: Strongly Favors topic 17 |
Strongly Favors
topic 18:Prioritize green energy
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| Support carbon tax and Green New Deal: Strongly Favors topic 18 Institute a tax on oil: Strongly Favors topic 18 Carbon tax can get us off of gasoline in 5 years: Strongly Favors topic 18 Make Global Warming a matter of national security: Strongly Favors topic 18 Immediately sign the Kyoto protocol: Strongly Favors topic 18 |
Strongly Opposes
topic 19:Marijuana is a gateway drug
(+5 points on Social scale)
| Proposed a Constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Legalize & regulate all drugs, including opioids: Strongly Opposes topic 19 War on drugs is a total failure: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Allow buying marijuana at liquor stores: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Decriminalize hard drugs so we can treat addicts: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Drugs are public health issue, not criminal issue: Strongly Opposes topic 19 War on drugs loses an entire generation to our prisons: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Legalize the use and possession of marijuana: Strongly Opposes topic 19 Stop punishment for victimless crimes: drugs, sex & gambling: Strongly Opposes topic 19 |
Strongly Favors
topic 20:Stimulus better than market-led recovery
(-5 points on Economic scale)
| Support unionization; raise federal minimum wage: Strongly Favors topic 20 Purpose of economy is to meet people’s needs, not business: Strongly Favors topic 20 |
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