Candidates - Mike Gravel

This is the second in a series of articles on announced candidates for President.

Mike Gravel is seeking the Democratic nomination for President. Gravel served as Alaska's US Senator from 1969 to 1981 and has not held political office since. Gravel lost his re-nomination campaign in 1980 against Clark Grueing. Prior to his election to the US Senate Gravel served as a State Representative from 1962 to 1966 (he was speaker of the house from 1964-1966) and ran for US Representative after leaving the house, he lost to Ralph Rivers.

In 1971 Gravel lead a one man filibuster against the renewing of the draft and was able to block bill for five months before President Nixon and Senate Republicans agreed to let the draft expire in 1973.

Gravel, who will be 79 on inauguration day 2009, has made funding education as a top priority and also favors a universal health care program. Gravel makes no note in his issues lists on where he stands on abortion or gay rights. Gravel also is not making the invasion of illegal immigrants a priority.

For more info on Mike Gravel log onto http://www.gravel2008.us/.