Gravelitas 2.0

The last big time politician (besides Bob Barr, whom I work with on the LNC) I met was Bill Weld at the LPNY convention in 2006. Of course Mr. Weld left us at the electoral altar, as had Howard Stern back in 1994. So as I crossed the parking lot to greet him after Bill McMillen grabbed his rain coat and umbrella from his aid Jon and dashed into the restaurant, I did wonder how this would go. I wasn't surprised at all to reach the conclusion that he's a regular guy and not at all crazy or a kook as the media would portray him.

Gravel's not one of these bumbling uncle types and is very conscious of the immediate plan and the higher calling that he has recently embarked on with the Libertarian Party. He even took a minute to explain some device to Jon who is very much the face of the next generation. As Bill and I are congenial, yet hardcore libertarians, Gravel was quick to immediately point out that he was not a 'purist' in regard to libertarians or our politics and we just smiled wondering how our good cop, bad cop scenario would go. Turned out I was the bad cop after all.

I had hoped to present the brighter, younger, fluffier side of the Libertarian in this exchange. I had no plan to engage the man on the much perceived notion of political libertarians or any of the knock down drag out stuff that permeates all corners of the Internet. Speaking truth to power, awesome videos and a little about previous celebrity candidates was all I figured I could manage in the short amount of time that these actual interviews take. I never wanted to get into zero aggression principles and wrangles with a guy like Gravel. He made me do it.

As part of his effort to promote the 'National Initiative' Gravel is claiming that he had hoped to run third party all along and that the Democratic path was the only one which could elevate this cause. As many grumble about his ideas, record and leanings, I suspect that there may be great dispute all the way into the LP convention in Denver this Memorial Day weekend. I had hoped to ask about his recent endorsement of the Green candidate Jesse Johnson and the marginalization of Michigan and Florida, but found myself answering questions like " But Who Will Build the Roads ?". All very taboo stuff amongst current politicos in the LP who feel that emulating the manners and tactics of the duopoly will create a 'win' or even an atmosphere of one.

Of course I sort of lost it as Gravel pressed me and I found my self waving my favorite book about third parties attempting to make my point above the man who read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional record and helped end the draft.

Make no mistake, Mike Gravel will be a player and a presence at the LP convention. The party will be confronted with a real question about success and failure. In my estimation the issues of the war and civil liberties are enough for a former major party candidate to press in the limited realm that the major media will allow. Of course he's not in the Misean tradition as deep as Ron Paul and will not embrace the non-aggression principle in practical politics. Some of his answers on this stuff might even surprise the most ardent adherents of traditional libertarians. His ideas about taxes might even offend the best populist.

From my perspective I haven't endorsed or supported anyone so far. I broke one of my personal rules about interviewing LP Presidential candidates, because basically by doing so, a conflict would occur in questioning if I had some internal information that I could use in regard to interviewer questions or technique. This was unique opportunity with the former Senator from Alaska and everybody else besides Bill had to work at their real jobs.

Afterwards I had the opportunity to swap books with the Senator and any rancor or friction that might be seen on the video is not genuine or severe. This guy's a real old time politician. He shared a great military story about himself as a young lieutenant and his willingness to defer to the seasoned Sargent on board the vessel he was assigned. Another heartfelt moment was his sharing of the attack by fellow Democrats in a primary that forced him out in the early eighties. I was listened to by him, as intently us to him, as I discussed my own personal experiences and he even appreciated the joke my father always tells, which is;

"They told me I would go to Vietnam if I voted for Barry Goldwater, and they we're right."

I wish the LP and Gravel luck in the next few months. I've enjoyed my wall flower experience on the LNC and hope that radicals, reformers, misfits and freaks can all agree to get along for the small moment or spotlight that we may receive as a result of our voluntary, collective and political efforts. Let the dialogue begin.