Gravel criticizes the top three

[Truth2Tell]

This video of an interview with Mike Gravel TheRealNews.com about the top three Dem candidates is full of hard truths. Gravel is always bombastic - and he is here - but this is worth the watch.

http://therealnews.com/web/index.php?thisdataswitch=0&thisid=777&thisview=item

Transcript:

PAUL JAY, SENIOR EDITOR: Do you distinguish between the three leading candidates coming out of Iowa and going into New Hampshire, in terms of the polling? You know, Obama and Edwards and Clinton. Do you distinguish between them in any way?

MIKE GRAVEL: No. I think that they're the product of the celebrity nature of American communication. And that's the sadness of it all. You know. They have the same level of celebrity attention as Britney Spears has.

JAY: When you get down to the policy level, there are some differences between them. Are they significant differences?

GRAVEL: No, not at all. They're not significant...

-snip

...Obama of the three is the most dangerous, because he raises greater expectations of the youth and can't deliver. And the worst thing a leader can do is raise expectations, and they don't happen. You create a whole new generation of cynics. And that's what he's doing...

-snip

...It's politics as usual, and that's sad, because we're at a turning point in '08. If we continue with American imperialism, we're done as a nation. Truly are...

http://therealnews.com/web/index.php?thisdataswitch=0&thisid=777&thisview=item

Obama is "creating a whole new generation of cynics." Yikes. Chew on that one.

[Bicoastal]

1. Yes, yes, great points as always...

...but what has he done for us lately?

[Truth2Tell]

2. What more would you have him do?

He just managed to crowbar his way into the first part of the Presidential race and speak the ugly truth about U.S. militarism and aggression on stage in front of (some of) the American people. He's out there beating the pavement and speaking the truth about the failures of our Democracy to anyone who will listen. It's not like he has the bully-pulpit of elected office to use anymore. I think he works his ass off to try and affect change. He also has a heck of a sense of humor. What more do you want from the guy?

[killbotfactory]

3. I was a cynic before Obama decided to run

Two terms with Bush in office will do that to you.

[Nailzberg]

4. Go you crazy mofo you!

I love this guy.

[Lucinda]

5. This part sums up Obama for me

"... And listen to the words. Make a speech and use the word change ten times—what specifically are you going to change? You're going to change the health care system? Not really. You're going to change the military-industrial complex? Not really. He wants another hundred thousand more troops. Are you going to change anything about your relationship with Iran? Not really. Nukes are on the table. Are you going to change anything with respect to Israel? Not really. He's supported by AIPAC. Are you going to change anything for education? He's on the education committee. He's supported by the NEA. Where's change? I don't see any change. But he doesn't say any of those things. He lets you figure out what the change is. So it's like an actor. What does an actor do? He gives you a scene, and you read into it what the scene means to you. And that's what he's doing. It's terrible, because what you read into it isn't what's going to happen, 'cause he's going to have the reality..."

[Clintonista2]

6. Who's gravel?

[SmellsLikeDeanSpirit]

7. A wise man.

[harmonicon]

8. Mike Gravel rules

If we didn't live in Bizzaro world he and Kucinich would be the only "serious" Democratic candidates - because they are the only serious candidates. I like Kucinich's platform more, but Gravel has a far better sense of humour.

[Delphinus]

9. I heard him on NPR

a few weeks ago - the afternoon show, Talk of the Nation. He was in a snowstorm in New Hampshire and was walking to the studio while on his cell phone on air. He was so real - so down to earth. He's got such good ideas and he seems to be free of corporate sponsors, which, needless to say, is why he doesn't stand a chance.

You're right - anywhere else but Bizzaro world, he and Dennis would both be top-rung viable candidates.