Mike Gravel is a Libertarian?

Had trouble trying to figure out if this fit Red vs. Blue but knowing Gravel he could very well try and run again through Libertarians even though I doubt they'd let him.

Official Website of the Libertarian National Committee

Quote:

Former U.S. Senator Mike Gravel joins Libertarian Party ranks

Believes Democrats are out of touch with American citizens

Washington, D.C. - Mike Gravel, a former Alaskan Senator and Democratic candidate for president, has joined the Libertarian Party.

"I'm joining the Libertarian Party because it is a party that combines a commitment to freedom and peace that can't be found in the two major parties that control the government and politics of America," says Gravel. "My libertarian views, as well as my strong stance against war, the military industrial complex and American imperialism, seem not to be tolerated by Democratic Party elites who are out of touch with the average American; elites that reject the empowerment of American citizens I offered to the Democratic Party at the beginning of this presidential campaign with the National Initiative for Democracy."

Gravel served in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1981. Most recently, Gravel was a Democratic presidential candidate, though forced out of national debates by Democratic Party leadership and the media. Gravel officially became a member of the Libertarian Party today.

Gravel is the most recent former member of Congress to switch to the Libertarian Party. In 2006, former Republican Congressman Bob Barr joined the Libertarian Party.

"It is a distinct honor to have another former member of Congress within the Libertarian Party," says Barr. "Just as Senator Gravel believes Democrats have lost touch with the American public, I too concluded Republicans had lost their core principles, and could no longer associate myself with the GOP. While coming from opposite sides of the aisle, Senator Gravel and I definitely agree on the fundamental need for systemic change in our political system, and that the only way we have of effecting that change is by supporting and working in the Libertarian Party, which is the only political party in America that consistently works in word and deed to maximize individual liberty and minimize government power."

"We're honored to have a former member of the United States Senate join our ranks," says Libertarian Party Executive Director Shane Cory. “Senator Gravel has a sincere dedication to empowering the American people and eliminating the corrupting influence of the two major parties. His switch from the Democratic Party, as well as former Congressman Barr’s abandonment of the GOP, shows that the Libertarian Party is truly a big tent organization moving firmly in the direction of Liberty.”

The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting Official Website of the Libertarian National Committee. The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.

For more information on this issue, or to arrange a media interview, please call Andrew Davis at (202) 333-0008 during normal business hours, or at (202) 731-0002 during any other time.

This election cycle is the best election cycle. Seriously guys, I don't know what the fuck

I'd definitely vote for him if Clinton is the Democratic choice for president. Hell I would've voted for the guy regardless, he certainly has a lot of views that I agree with. Unfortunately he doesn't have name power and the media completely ignored him. Plus the video of him throwing a small boulder into a body of water and staring harshly at the camera probably didn't help.

A candidate for the Democratic Party's nomination for President joins the Libertarian Party a few weeks after endorsing a candidate for the Green Party's nomination.

Crazy.

Originally Posted by Bradylama

Gravel he could very well try and run again through Libertarians even though I doubt they'd let him.

Why wouldn't the Libertarians let him? Gravel's name has been out there, gaining some name recognition for his Democratic run. He's also held national office, which is a quality many top tier Libertarians lack. Taken together, the only potential candidate they could offer who could compete with him as a legitimate candidate for President would probably be Bob Barr. Everyone else is an effective nobody politically.

Picking Gravel would also help them look less crazy if the Greens go off the deep end and nominate Cynthia McKinney.

Yeah, but Gravel is sort of, you know, insane.

Given that we're discussing the Libertarian Party's nomination, I don't see how that matters.

Originally Posted by Lord Styphon

Given that we're discussing the Libertarian Party's nomination, I don't see how that matters.

That, sir, is a damned fine point.

Originally Posted by Lord Styphon

Why wouldn't the Libertarians let him? Gravel's name has been out there, gaining some name recognition for his Democratic run. He's also held national office, which is a quality many top tier Libertarians lack. Taken together, the only potential candidate they could offer who could compete with him as a legitimate candidate for President would probably be Bob Barr. Everyone else is an effective nobody politically.

Picking Gravel would also help them look less crazy if the Greens go off the deep end and nominate Cynthia McKinney.

If I was the Libertarians I would still nominate Bob Barr. They won't even get pity votes for Gravel, his showing was laughable.

The best they can hope to get out of Gravel is more votes from disaffected progressives who aren't the internet crowd that hate Libertarians to begin with. Keep in mind, this is the "party of principle" so I doubt they'll try and run a guy who supports UHC. On the other hand if they prove me wrong it demonstrates they actually have political savvy.