Perhaps the most obscure of all obscure 2008 Democratic presidential candidates is former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel. Gravel has received almost no attention from the mainstream media, but he sought to gain an edge by declaring his candidacy in April of 2006, while other candidates were still toying around with their silly exploratory committees. He explained, "Once I'm out there and people see the issues I'm raising, it will resonate with people." Since his announcement Gravel has spent almost all of his campaign time in New Hampshire, where the first Democratic primary will be held. Since Gravel has been out of the political spotlight since he lost his Senate seat in 1981, he has been busy as an advocate for amending the Constitution to allow direct democracy, in which "the people" would take a more central role in lawmaking. He is also in favor of the abolition of the IRS and supports the introduction of a national sales tax. In 1972 Gravel actively sought the nomination for Vice President and came in third at the DNC after receiving just 226 delegate votes. Unfortunately, third in line for vice president on George McGovern's losing presidential ticket just might be the closest Mike Gravel ever comes to the White House.
2008 Woodie Awards
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