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Posted: July 9, 2007 6:10 PM
Gravel Explains Metaphors in YouTube Videos
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Former Sen. Mike Gravel, D-Alaska, made a pair of rare appearances in the spotlight this week with an appearance on CNN’s ‘Situation Room’ to explain his Iraq platform and a one-on-one interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s ‘This Week.’ in which he explained the ripple metaphor in his YouTube ads.

The Gravel camp was particularly excited about the appearance on “This Week”, after Stephanopoulos’ comments earlier this month describing Gravel as the “skunk at the party” at the June 28th Democratic debate. Press secretary Colvin reports that Gravel has begun wearing this ‘skunk at the party’ title “as a badge of honor”, and was looking forward to the opportunity “to thank George in person.”

After discussing his views on Iraq, leadership, and his own crusade against the Vietnam-era draft as a senator in 1970s, Gravel made clear to the ABC host that he believes he has a real shot at the presidency, even if few others do:

MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: So Hillary Clinton’s not going to get your vote. Who is?

SEN. GRAVEL: I’m going to vote for myself. What are you talking about, George?

MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: But you’re not going to be president.

SEN. GRAVEL: I’ll be president when it ends. George, I’ll be president. And you know something? One of the great beauties of this great country of ours is that anything is possible in politics. You just have a tough time accepting it.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Now what I’m thinking of right now, again, is your video, and you say it’s a metaphor. You could also say it’s a piece of absurd performance art, but it gets attention. And you are getting attention in this campaign. My question is, what are you going to do with it?

SEN. GRAVEL: Isn’t that how one gets elected? By getting attention? Then people maybe will listen to me when I say I want to empower you as a lawmaker, because the answer is not in government, the answer is with the American people.

MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: And you’re not going to give up until you’re president.

SEN. GRAVEL: Of course. And I will be president. You heard it here.
Gravel will have another opportunity to outline his message on a national stage on July 23rd when he joins the rest of the Democratic field at another CNN-sponsored debate in Charleston, S.C. Despite concerns that CNN will not be addressing complaints from the campaign about equal time and fair stage placement from their previous debate, Gravel is focused on delivering another wave-making performance.