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Gravel Would Choose "Vilsack First, Richardson Second" for President
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ShareFebruary 21, 2007 5:53 PM
ABC News' Paul Fidalgo Reports: "Vilsack first, second Richardson," said former Sen. Mike Gravel, D-Alaska, when asked Wednesday at a Democratic presidential candidates forum whom he would like to support for president if his long-shot presidential bid fails.
In his appearance before the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees presidential forum in Carson City, Nevada, Gravel excoriated Republicans and Democrats alike. Furious at the "mealy-mouthed" attempts to curb the Iraq war's escalation, Gravel declared, "The Congress has the right to declare war, and the right to end it. "
Gravel, who has been out of public office since 1981, outlined a legislative strategy for Congress to bring the Iraq war to an end once and for all, complete with assumed filibusters, Republicans "withering on the vine," and betting that President Bush will "figure God can trump the Congress."
"The oil there is not worth one more American dead, it’s not worth one more ounce of blood," said Gravel.
ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, the event's moderator, asked the senator why the voters should choose him over the other candidates, to which Gravel replied, "They hear my voice…I'm not politics as usual," then pointing out his record of achievements including the ending the Vietnam draft and stopping nuclear testing in Alaska.
When asked if he would ever consider opting out of federal financing for his campaign, Gravel, aghast, said, "My God, he’s asking me that question? Is the Pope Catholic? Hey, I'm trying to opt in!"
"All I need is $10,000 and I can win with that, believe me," he said.
Among the tenets of his campaign -- which include increased citizen access to the legislative process and liberation from what he called "the yoke" of the military-industrial complex -- Gravel advocated the elimination of the income tax in favor of a more progressive sales tax, and managed to get a chuckle out of the moderator, saying, "I've got a $250 suit. George, you've probably got a $2000 suit. "
Stephanopoulos quickly replied, "Don't tell my wife. Your time is up!"
February 21, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (1)
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Richardson was my #1 choice, even before he announced his exploratory committee. I was just waiting for him to throw his hat in the ring. He's more electable than the ones getting all the press right now and has a more impressive resume. I just fear that as Vilsack said today, "It's all about money," and the newsmakers will tie all that up.
Posted by: Ann Tipton | Feb 23, 2007 2:20:41 PM
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