2008 Woodie Awards
Mike Gravel: Libertarian
Shayna Murphy, Collegian columnist
Issue date: 5/13/08 Section: Editorial / Opinion
Popular elections are set in place for a reason; the beauty of democracy isn't just that it lends a voice to the people. Democracy is also about distinguishing, clearly, which candidates the public prefers, and which ones they think ought to get the hell out of Dodge.
True, the public isn't always conclusive. Indiana says yes to another Clinton in the White House, while North Carolina suggests something contrary.
But overall, the public has spoken out. Politicians, high or low, aren't nullifying these voices by switching their parties. They're just exposing how unabashedly calculated the election race has become in between.
As for Gravel, the authenticity of his conversion is something we have to take with the usual grain of skepticism. It could be said, though, that no one really converts to libertarianism expecting a big victory. Idealism, disenchantment, or lark - all of those reasons work fine.
But a big victory? That may be as crazy as running for president in the first place.
Shayna Murphy is a Collegian columnist. She can be reached at skmurphy@student.umass.edu.
True, the public isn't always conclusive. Indiana says yes to another Clinton in the White House, while North Carolina suggests something contrary.
But overall, the public has spoken out. Politicians, high or low, aren't nullifying these voices by switching their parties. They're just exposing how unabashedly calculated the election race has become in between.
As for Gravel, the authenticity of his conversion is something we have to take with the usual grain of skepticism. It could be said, though, that no one really converts to libertarianism expecting a big victory. Idealism, disenchantment, or lark - all of those reasons work fine.
But a big victory? That may be as crazy as running for president in the first place.
Shayna Murphy is a Collegian columnist. She can be reached at skmurphy@student.umass.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 7
jpritikin
Joshua Pritikin
posted 5/13/08 @ 1:38 AM EST
You argue that Mike Gravel shouldn't challenge "popular" candidates. If only it were that simple! Who made candidates such a Clinton and Obama popular? Well, there were campaign contributions and that money turned into advertising. (Continued…)
Conspiracy Theroist
posted 5/14/08 @ 1:05 AM EST
First, you claim the Libertarian Party is about state and individual rights over federal power, which is true. Then, you say that this compliments Gravel's National Initiative For Democracy when the NI4D is all about federal government. (Continued…)
Ben of '03
posted 5/14/08 @ 1:30 PM EST
I don't think we can assume that Ron Paul will seek the Libertarian nomination. However, Bob Barr has announced and he is certainly the favorite to win at this point. (Continued…)
Joshua Pritikin
posted 5/14/08 @ 11:51 PM EST
Maybe you didn't realize that Gravel is also the author of NI4D. During Gravel's tenure as a senator, he decided that senators (& and other congress critters) face a practically irresistible temptation toward corruption. (Continued…)
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